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JJ Redick, LeBron James give high praise to Suns star duo

Oct 28, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) drives to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the first quarter at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Phoenix Suns stars Devin Booker and Kevin Durant put together their best combined performance so far this season in Phoenix’s 109-105 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers Monday.

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The duo ended with 63 points, as Booker finished with a season-high 33 and Durant had 30, his third-straight game with 30 or more, to help Phoenix (3-1) come back from down 18 in the first quarter and win a close battle at the end.

Durant and Booker combined for 17 of Phoenix’s 33 fourth-quarter points, as the Suns, who were known for being one of the worst fourth-quarter teams in the league last season, outscored the Lakers by 11 in the final frame.

Lakers (3-1) coach JJ Redick said in his postgame press conference that he overall liked his team’s process and execution throughout the night, but there was one big factor that ultimately cost them their first loss of the season.

“I have to go watch it, but it felt like in some ways we lost to Kevin Durant and Devin Booker’s ability to make tough twos,” Redick said, adding that he thought he could have called for a blitz on Durant earlier than he did.

Lakers superstar LeBron James is very familiar with Booker and Durant, as the three of them won an Olympic gold medal together with Team USA this summer at the 2024 Paris Olympics. James has been impressed by what he has seen from the duo so far this season.

“They are two of the toughest guys, one through four quarters. Especially if you start to relax,” James said. “They got it going. It is very tough to stop them. KD at his size and his length and his ability to shoot the ball. Book with his ability to shoot mid-range, threes, get into the paint or whatever.

“They keep you on your heels. Brad (Bradley Beal) is still there too. They have a lot of firepower.”

Initial takeaways from Suns’ 109-105 victory over Lakers

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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau

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