Phoenix, Arizona (AP) On Tuesday night, the Phoenix Suns defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 127-100, celebrating the healthy return of both Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, who each scored 23 points. The Suns broke a five-game losing streak, led by Devin Booker, who finished with 26 points and 10 assists.
Due to an injured left calf, Beal had missed the previous five games and Durant had missed seven consecutive.
Beal made three of six 3-pointers and ten of fifteen shots overall.
The Lakers were led by Anthony Davis, who scored 25 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. LeBron James added 18 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists. Los Angeles has lost three straight.
The Suns turned a close game into a 98-78 lead by outscoring the Lakers 36-18 in the third quarter. During the stretch, Booker scored 11 points and Jusuf Nurkic scored 10.
Lakers: Los Angeles started the game competitively but lost badly after the half. The Lakers only made eight of thirty-four (23.5%) three-pointers. Austin Reaves scored 15 points, while D’Angelo Russell scored 16.
The return of Durant and Beal to the court made Phoenix appear more like the team it was before. Nurkic finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds after a difficult start. Royce O’Neale scored nine points on three 3-pointers and Grayson Allen scored ten points off the bench as the Suns increased their lead in the second half.
The Suns led 86-72 halfway through the third quarter after Booker made three straight shots during their 14-2 run.
On Wednesday night, the Suns will host the Nets. On Wednesday night, the Lakers travel to play the Spurs.