Despite missing LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, the Lakers pulled off an impressive overtime victory against the Phoenix Suns, winning 128-122 in their penultimate preseason game.
Dalton Knecht was the hero of the night, leading a late fourth-quarter rally and tying the game with a clutch 3-pointer with 4.8 seconds left. Knecht scored the last seven points in regulation and continued his hot streak in overtime, dropping 13 straight points for the Lakers and finishing with 35 points—30 of which came in the second half.
Anthony Davis dominated early, also putting up 35 points, along with 10 rebounds and four assists. Austin Reaves contributed 18 points and eight rebounds, while D’Angelo Russell struggled with his shot but dished out 10 assists.
The Lakers got off to a strong start, with Davis hitting back-to-back 3-pointers and leading the offense to an early seven-point lead. However, Phoenix kept pace, with Devin Booker helping the Suns cut the deficit.
By halftime, the Lakers trailed by five points after some inconsistent defense and a late surge by the Suns. The third quarter saw both teams struggle offensively, but the Suns managed to maintain a slight edge, leading 90-82 going into the final frame.
In the fourth quarter, Anthony Davis continued to shine before being subbed out. The young Lakers fought back, with Knecht's heroics sending the game into overtime, where he sealed the win with his stellar shooting.
Key Takeaways:
- The Lakers need to address their defensive consistency, which has been an issue throughout the preseason.
- The offense, however, seems to be flowing well under Coach JJ Redick, with more fluid ball movement.
- LA’s effort on the boards has been strong, a crucial factor for the regular season.
The Lakers’ final preseason game is Friday against the Golden State Warriors at 7:30 PM PT.
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