LOS ANGELES – The Phoenix Suns are grinding it out on Monday night, and lead the Lakers by a score of 66-52 at halftime.
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Dec 1, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Phoenix started the night shorthanded as Grayson Allen was a late addition to the injury report with a sickness. The Suns ended up having Collin Gillespie start in his place. At first, it was Gillespie and Brooks who were taking the majority of Phoenix’s shots early on. Brooks was taking a lot of fade-away mid-range shots that were coming out strong, and Phoenix pivoted away from that and got the ball into Gillespie and Devin Booker’s hands.
Dec 1, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) moves to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) and forward LeBron James (23) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Booker was smooth in the midrange and was hitting his fadeaway jumpers with ease early on, which was a welcome sight for the Suns. Booker ended the first half shooting 4-for-7 with 11 points and 3 assists. Booker started the second quarter missing from the floor and the bench, and speculation surrounded whether he suffered an injury. Booker ultimately ended up heading into the locker room and wouldn’t return with an apparent groin injury. Without Booker on the floor, Dillon Brooks was the focal point moving forward for the Suns. Brooks ended the first half with 23 points.
Dec 1, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) controls the ball against the against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Ryan Dunn was flying around and getting offensive rebounds, showing that his return from injury will only help Phoenix get more second-chance opportunities. Dunn, along with Dillon Brooks, took over defensive duties guarding Los Angeles SG Luka Doncic, and did their best against a Lakers star who has been locked in as of late. Phoenix will need to find a way to contend with a surging Doncic, especially if Booker were to miss time. Getting stops and attacking in transition will be pivotal for Phoenix going forward.
Reinforcements arrive for Phoenix Suns before tough test against Lakers
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
