LeBron James delivered a vintage clutch performance to guide the Los Angeles Lakers to a dramatic 116-114 comeback victory over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night, sealing the win with late free throws and a decisive defensive play in the closing seconds.
The Lakers looked to be in control early before surrendering a 20-point lead, but James stepped up when it mattered most, scoring the go-ahead points at the free-throw line and blocking a potential game-winning three-pointer to secure the win in Phoenix.
Lakers Recover After Blowing Big Lead
Los Angeles trailed 77-71 midway through the third quarter after Devin Booker converted a pair of free throws. From that point, however, the momentum swung sharply in the Lakers’ favour.
The Suns went scoreless for more than eight minutes, spanning the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth, as Los Angeles erupted on a 24-0 scoring run. That surge flipped the game and gave the Lakers a commanding 95-77 advantage.
Phoenix struggled badly during that stretch, missing 14 consecutive shots and committing seven turnovers, allowing the Lakers to reassert control despite a rough shooting night from beyond the arc.
Star Performances for Los Angeles
Luka Dončić led all scorers with 29 points, while LeBron James finished with 26 points, including the most critical moments late in the game. Deandre Ayton recorded a strong double-double, contributing 20 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, providing key interior presence for Los Angeles.
Jaxson Hayes also chipped in with 12 points, helping the Lakers overcome poor three-point shooting. Los Angeles hit just 7 of 37 attempts from deep, compared to Phoenix’s much more efficient perimeter performance.
Chaotic Final Seconds Decide the Game
The final minute featured a sequence of dramatic twists. Phoenix reclaimed the lead at 114-113 with 12.2 seconds remaining when Dillon Brooks knocked down his fourth three-pointer of the fourth quarter.
However, Brooks—who had earlier been assessed a technical foul after an exchange with James—was hit with a second technical for excessive celebration, resulting in his ejection at a critical moment.
James missed the first free throw that followed but then drew a three-shot foul on Devin Booker after pulling up from long range with three seconds left. He calmly sank two of the three attempts, putting the Lakers back in front.
On the Suns’ final possession, Grayson Allen attempted a potential game-winning three, but James rose to block the shot, sealing the outcome. Marcus Smart was fouled after grabbing the rebound and added a free throw to make it a two-point game.
Suns’ Strong Shooting Not Enough
Despite the loss, Phoenix shot better overall, connecting on 48.8 percent of their field goals compared to the Lakers’ 43.2 percent. The Suns also dominated from three-point range, hitting 35.1 percent, while Los Angeles struggled at just 18.9 percent.
Devin Booker scored 27 points, Mark Williams added 20, and Brooks finished with 18 points before his late ejection. Allen contributed 13 points and seven assists, tying Booker for team-high assists, while Royce O’Neale and Collin Gillespie added 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Lakers Earn Revenge Win
The victory allowed the Lakers to avenge a 125-108 home loss to Phoenix earlier this season and showcased their resilience in a high-pressure road environment.
With James delivering on both ends of the floor in the closing moments, the Lakers walked away with one of their most dramatic wins of the season—an example of how experience and composure can still decide games in the NBA.
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