Debacle for the Lakers: LeBron James and Co. received a violent beating from the Phoenix Suns in front of their own audience. While Chris Paul makes history, LA makes negative headlines outside of the sporting world – including scuffles on the bench.
Los Angeles Lakers (0-2) Phoenix Suns (1-1) 105:115 (BOXSCORE)
“The Los Angeles Lakers have a team problem and a basketball problem.” That was the conclusion of franchise legend Magic Johnson shortly after the second bankruptcy in the second game of the season. On the one hand he alluded to a team in purple and gold that was inferior for a long time, on the other hand to an apparently already enormous level of frustration in the ranks of the Lakers and internal quarrels.
The end result was still flattering from a Lakers perspective thanks to a late run when the game was actually decided long ago. The guests from the Arizona desert took control of the game in the second quarter and opened up a gap of 32 points after the break.
Ultimately, LeBron James’ 25 points (8/18 FG, 5/9 three-pointers, plus 5 assists with 5 turnovers) or Anthony Davis’ double-double (22 and 14 rebounds) did little to prevent the debacle. Russell Westbrook scratched a triple-double (15, 11 rebounds and 9 assists at 6/15 FG), Carmelo Anthony contributed 16 points.
The Lakers made the headlines less sporty, but rather with a scuffle on their own bench. Dwight Howard and AD clashed during a hiatus and had to be separated from teammates. “There are no problems between us,” Howard played down the post-game scene. “He’s my brother. We had a disagreement about something that happened on the court and we’re both just really passionate.”
Los Angeles Lakers: A lot of frustration with LeBron James and Co.
Davis also said after the game that the matter was settled. “We left it in the dressing room at half-time,” said the Big Man, and head coach Frank Vogel added: “Something like this happens from time to time,” Vogel said of the argument, even if he thought it was the physical component been too much. “The boys love each other. But I prefer it if everything here is important to them.”
Still, there seems to be a lot of frustration just after the season has started in LA. In a scene in the third quarter, LeBron stood in his own half after a successful defensive action and waited for his colleagues on the other end of the court to complete the play. The Lakers have also repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with the referees’ decisions.
There was also an incident involving a fan and Rajon Rondo when the spectator left his seat on the sidelines knocked off the Lakers star’s hand during a discussion. The fan was then expelled from the hall.
The Lakers started the game well. After the first quarter Westbrook already had as many points on his account as in his weak debut (8) and LeBron or Kent Bazemore got the three. In the second half, however, the Suns dominated the zone. Phoenix scored a total of 52 points in the Painted Area – the Lakers just 26.
Suns dominate the Lakers – Chris Paul makes history
The guests, led by Chris Paul (23 points and 14 assists), have a double-digit lead for the first time. Phoenix shouldn’t let that one out of his hands. After the change of sides, the Suns continued to attack the zone, hardly anything worked in the weak Lakers offense and the gap kept growing. The game was already decided towards the end of the third quarter.
Three players broke the 20-point mark for the guests. In addition to CP3, Devin Booker (22), who avenged Westbrook with the “Rock-the-Baby” celebration in the third quarter for his similar action in the early stages, and Mikal Bridges (21, 8/11 FG). Deandre Ayton scored 8 points and grabbed 15 rebounds.
Along the way, Paul secured an entry in the history books of the Association. With a free throw in the second quarter, the Point God broke the 20,000-point barrier. He is the first player in NBA history with 20,000 points and 10,000 assists. After the botched start to the season against the Nuggets, Phoenix secured their first win of 2021/22.