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The Phoenix Suns and the LA Lakers are gearing up for a Western Conference showdown on Thursday, October 26th. This game marks the second match of the 2023-24 NBA season for both teams.
Phoenix aims to keep their momentum going after securing a 108-104 win on the road against the Golden State Warriors in their season opener on Tuesday. In contrast, the Lakers are looking to bounce back from their season-opening road loss to the Denver Nuggets, where they fell 119-107.
Phoenix boasts what could be considered the NBA's top trio of stars in Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. However, it seems that the Suns may only have one of these star players available on Thursday night. Both Booker (foot) and Beal (back) are listed as doubtful on the team's injury report, while guard Damion Lee (knee) remains sidelined indefinitely.
On the other hand, the Lakers will be missing forward Jarred Vanderbilt (heel) and rookie guard Jalen Hood-Schifino (knee), but wing Cam Reddish (foot) is likely to play.
If Booker and Beal are indeed out for Phoenix, the Lakers appear to have a significant advantage in offensive firepower and overall depth. Lakers' star big man Anthony Davis is expected to perform well against Suns starting center Jusuf Nurkic. Meanwhile, LeBron James will be engaged in a closely contested matchup with Durant, with the outcome still uncertain.
The Lakers' most substantial edge seems to be in the guard positions. Their starting backcourt of D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves is likely to outperform whoever the Suns start in their backcourt, especially given that the Suns lack a true point guard on their roster.
The Phoenix Suns are heading to Los Angeles in a less-than-ideal situation. The silver lining is that Phoenix started their season with a 108-104 victory against the Golden State Warriors, even though they were considered 3-point underdogs. This win came with the total points scored (Under 235.5) being below the line. However, the victory came at a cost as star guard Devin Booker, who scored 32 points, is doubtful for their upcoming game due to a sore foot. Another key player, Bradley Beal, who missed the season opener due to a back injury, is also doubtful.
In contrast, the Los Angeles Lakers are coming off a 119-107 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Denver, where they were 5-point underdogs. The total points in that game (Under 229.5) were below the set line. The Lakers will be without F Jarred Vanderbilt, who is dealing with a heel injury.
Despite a subpar shooting performance, Kevin Durant made his return to Golden State, where he had previously won back-to-back titles, memorable. Durant, now with the Suns, managed to secure a 108-104 victory. He shot 7-of-22 from the field but contributed 10 rebounds, helping his new team secure the win while receiving a warm reception from his former fanbase.
The Suns had a strong start, leading 61-46 at halftime, and seemed to be on their way to an easy victory. However, the Warriors staged a comeback in the third quarter, outscoring the Suns 40-19. Devin Booker, an All-Star, played a crucial role in leading the Suns back in the fourth quarter, scoring five consecutive points during a critical stretch with under five minutes left in the game. Booker finished with 32 points in a game where the Suns were missing Bradley Beal due to his back issues. Jusuf Nurkic, another newcomer to the team, recorded a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds.
The Suns couldn't showcase their complete new lineup on opening night due to Beal's absence, and his availability for the upcoming game against the LA Lakers remains uncertain. Nevertheless, the Suns have added toughness with the arrivals of veterans like Nurkic and Eric Gordon. Gordon, despite shooting 4-of-16 from the field, contributed 16 points coming off the bench. The Suns' defense was a highlight, holding the Warriors to just 35% shooting from the field and 23% from three-point range. With Nurkic and Durant controlling the boards, the Suns outrebounded Golden State 60-49.
