PHOENIX, Ariz. — The margin for error is shrinking for the Lakers, and so is their tolerance for inconsistency. In a 113–110 loss to the Suns, Los Angeles once again showed flashes of control but failed to sustain them. Perimeter breakdowns and three-point momentum swings ultimately outweighed their late-game resilience, as they could not match Phoenix’s aggression in the closing minutes. The Lakers fall to 34–24 and remain just one game ahead of the Suns for sixth place in the Western Conference.
Afterward, head coach JJ Redick acknowledged the cost of those lapses. “Our losses are louder,” he said. “Basketball is a game of mistakes. We made mistakes, and Grayson Allen kicked our butts.”
As the regular season enters its final stretch, urgency can no longer arrive in bursts. It must anchor the full 48 minutes.
Los Angeles responded after a sluggish start, leaning on Luka Dončić’s shot-making and interior execution to steady the pace. For a stretch, the Lakers dictated tempo rather than reacting to it. A strong third quarter fueled by improved defensive pressure and paint touches built a double-digit lead and forced multiple Phoenix timeouts.
But the separation never felt secure.
The Suns continued to pressure the ball and disrupt rhythm, forcing rushed possessions and contested looks. The Lakers’ advantage dissolved quickly. Turnovers and relaxed perimeter coverage reopened the door, and a sequence of three-point shots erased the lead within minutes. Phoenix finished the night with 22 three-pointers to the Lakers’ 11 — a disparity that ultimately proved decisive in a very winnable road game.
Even then, the Lakers had chances. Dončić’s late shot-making and Austin Reaves’ game-tying three gave them life in the final minute. Yet another offensive rebound and a final corner three from Phoenix ultimately sealed the outcome. The Lakers generated a clean look on the final possession, but inconsistency earlier in the quarter left them with no room for error.
The Lakers remain in sixth place in the Western Conference, but the standings compress nightly. Talent is not the issue. Consistency is. If this team hopes to enter the postseason with clarity rather than questions, its identity must evolve from reactive to relentless. In the final stretch of the regular season, narrow margins carry weight.
Notable Stats of the Game
Luka Dončić: 41 Points, 8 Rebounds, 8 Assists
LeBron James: 15 Points, 6 Rebounds, 5 Assists
Grayson Allen: 28 Points, 1 Rebound, 6 Assists
Collin Gillespie: 21 Points, 3 Rebounds, 3 Assists
Upcoming Game for the Lakers:
Los Angeles Lakers (34-23) at Golden State Warriors (31-28)
Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026
Location: Chase Center • San Francisco, CA.
Tip-Off: 5:30PM PST/ 8:30PM EST
