PHOENIX – Tuesday night’s matchup felt tilted from the beginning, and Phoenix’s sizable lead wasn’t the product of fluky shooting or one unstoppable scorer; it’s a system flexing. The Suns have dictated tempo, spacing, and decision-making, turning their game against the Lakers into a clinic on sustainable advantage. It was a total team effort from Phoenix as they defeated the Lakers by a score of 132-108.
Dec 23, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams (15) slam dunks the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The numbers tell the story. Phoenix has generated cleaner looks, with a clear edge in points per possession and a noticeable gap in assist-to-turnover ratio. While the Lakers have relied on drawing foul calls, the Suns’ offense has moved defenders side to side, forcing rotations and punishing them with high-percentage shots. That’s not randomness, that’s design. Dillon Brooks was the highlight of the night as he put up 25 points.
Dec 23, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and head coach JJ Redick against the Phoenix Suns in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Defensively, Phoenix has shrunk the floor without overcommitting. Help has come early, but recoveries have been sharper. The Lakers’ half-court efficiency has dipped as a result, with contested jumpers replacing paint touches. When Los Angeles has pushed the pace, Phoenix has answered by scoring quickly enough to neutralize momentum. For Suns fans, this matters because it mirrors what championship-level teams do consistently by building the process before winning on the scoreboard. It also feels a little sweeter when taking down a rival.
Dec 23, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) moves the ball against Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Dillon Brooks and LeBron James rivalry set to reignite in tense matchup on Tuesday
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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
