In the crucial elimination game against the Phoenix Suns, LeBron James delivered massively: 31 points and 11 assists. Assisting him in the standout effort were Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves. Davis notched a double-double of his own: 27 points and 15 rebounds. Meanwhile, Reaves took center stage in the final moments, showcasing his brilliance under the spotlight by nailing crucial buckets, and ending with 20 points.

However, Phoenix was not far behind in the ball game. The game was still hanging on the line when Kevin Durant attempted to replicate one of his iconic dagger shots from his Golden State Warriors days. However, with less than three seconds on the clock, Durant’s attempt, unfortunately, missed the rim, bringing an end to the Suns’ run within the In Season tourney.

1. KD and Booker are talented but need a point guard

Kevin Durant and Devin Booker stand as two of the purest scorers in the NBA. The duo can do it all, be it outside the perimeter or inside; their versatility knows no bounds. However, despite their franchise-carrying capabilities, the two heavily rely on on-ball offense. KD shot a brilliant 13 off 17 throughout the game. Moreover, the Suns came trailing at the half, to only put on a 14-point run and gain the lead.

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Regardless, the matchup underscored the Suns’ need for a true point guard in their lineup. They grappled with turnovers throughout the game, finishing with a staggering 20 on their side. More importantly, in the first quarter alone, Phoenix gave up 10 turnovers, the highest single-quarter count by any team in the league this season. Despite their offensive capabilities, the game resonated that either they need a skilled point guard in their roster, or their stars need to focus on maintaining control of the tempo throughout the game.

2. AD needs to be aggressive, Austin Reaves can only sink so many clutch shots

Anthony Davis finished with an impressive 27 points and 15 rebounds; a double-double that hints that he dominated the glass. However, the reality was different. Despite his substantial rebounds, he encountered struggles within the perimeter. His points came off seven successful free throws, and a lackluster shooting performance of 10-26 from the field.

Adding to the drama is the fact that the Lakers got lucky in the last moment. Following the clutch three-pointer by Austin Reaves, Davis went to the charity stripes in the Lakers’ next possession. However, his sole missed free throw came at the pressing moment. Had it not been for a Kevin Durant airball, the game’s outcome would have been different.

3. A fit Lakers can win it all

The Lakers had a reply for everything in the return of Jarred Vanderbilt and Rui Hachimura. Vanderbilt immediately impacted by securing four offensive rebounds in his initial 8 minutes. Gabe Vincent is the only Laker left to boast good health. Regardless, the stage is set for the Lakers to embark on a run, leaving the patterns of playing catch-up games behind.

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