The Los Angeles Lakers opened their preseason campaign with a 103–81 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Friday night at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California.
Austin Reaves led the Lakers with 20 points, while rookie Bronny James added eight in his preseason debut.
LeBron James and Luka Dončić sat out the game, with James still recovering from a minor nerve injury. The Suns, led by Devin Booker’s 24 points and seven assists, took control early, building a 31–16 lead in the first quarter and maintaining their advantage throughout the game.
Deandre Ayton, facing his former team, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked two shots but struggled offensively with just one point. The Lakers showed inconsistency on both ends, shooting only 36 percent from the field and committing several turnovers that allowed Phoenix to pull away.
Despite the loss, head coach JJ Redick emphasized that the preseason serves as an opportunity to test rotations and develop chemistry ahead of the regular season. The Lakers will next face the Golden State Warriors as they continue preparations for the upcoming NBA campaign.
