EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Lakers found out how tough life could be without LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
It took longer than expected, but the Phoenix Suns eventually ground down the short-staffed L.A. team in a 111-94 victory Sunday in Phoenix.
It wasn’t as much of a blowout as the final score indicated thanks to Montrezl Harrell and Dennis Schröder, but the outcome was never really in doubt as James sat out his first game since sustaining a high ankle sprain.
James traveled with the team for its quick two-game trip and was on the sideline Sunday with a walking boot on his right foot. Davis was on the sideline as well but missed his 17th game because of Achilles’ tendon and calf soreness.
The effort was there for the Lakers, who were able to put up points until tiring in the fourth quarter. The problem was their defense.
Phoenix scored 88 points through three quarters and continually force-fed center DeAndre Ayton against L.A.'s smaller frontcourt. Ayton notched 26 points — one shy of his season-high — and made 10 of 13 shots.
The Suns’ backcourt was also too much for the Lakers. Devin Booker scored 26 points, and Chris Paul strung together a triple-double with 11 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds.
Harrell finished with 23 and 10 rebounds points, continuing a March surge in which he’s averaged 19.5 points and 7.6 rebounds. Schröder scored 22 points.
The Lakers struggled with their outside touch, which wasn’t a new development. They made five of 25 from three-point range (20%) after coming in to the game 22nd in the league behind the arc.
Wesley Matthews was scoreless on 0-for-5 shooting while finishing minus-16 in only 16 minutes. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was marginally better, scoring seven points on two-for-seven shooting while finishing minus-17 in the plus-minus department.
The Lakers play in New Orleans on Tuesday before returning home to face Eastern Conference-leading Philadelphia on Thursday.