What if the NBA's newest superstar duo already has the league on notice? In a preseason showdown that left basketball enthusiasts on the edge of their seats, Luka Dončić dazzled in his debut for the Lakers, yet the team couldn't hold off the Suns, dropping their third preseason contest by a 113-104 scoreline. But here's where it gets intriguing: even with a slew of key rotation players sidelined, Luka and Austin Reaves turned heads by dominating stretches of the game, only to see Phoenix mount a ferocious comeback. This preseason gem not only showcased raw talent but also teased the high-stakes drama that could unfold in the regular season—making you wonder, is this just preseason hype, or the start of something legendary?
Despite missing several regulars from their usual squad, the Lakers managed to dictate much of the play while Luka and Reaves were on the court. However, as the second half unfolded, the Suns clawed their way back, erasing a deficit that had ballooned to 15 points at one stage. For beginners in basketball analytics, this highlights how momentum can shift dramatically in a single game—imagine a team leading comfortably, only for fatigue or strategic adjustments to flip the script, much like a chess match where one wrong move leads to checkmate.
Luka wrapped up his outing with an impressive 25 points, coupled with seven rebounds and four assists, all squeezed into just 22 minutes of action. Austin Reaves wasn't far behind, mirroring that output with 25 points, four rebounds, and two assists over 29 minutes, proving he's a reliable second option in the offense.
Supporting cast members also chipped in notably. Deandre Ayton contributed solidly with 10 points, 13 rebounds, three blocks, and two steals, showcasing his defensive prowess and rebounding skills—think of him as the anchor in the paint, pulling down missed shots like a powerful magnet. On the other end, Marcus Smart had a subdued introduction, opting not to take a single shot while recording one assist and picking up two fouls in 20 minutes, perhaps conserving energy for the grind ahead.
Further down the bench, Nick Smith Jr. added eight points to the scoreboard, while Jake LaRavia matched that with eight points, eight rebounds, and three assists, illustrating his versatility as a wing player who can handle the ball and create opportunities. Bronny James, the young prospect, earned his stripes with seven points, three rebounds, two assists, and a block, demonstrating aggression and potential that could excite fans for years to come.
And then there's the elephant in the room: former Laker Jordan Goodwin, who seized the spotlight with a standout performance of 24 points, six assists, four rebounds, and a steal. This raises a controversial point—does playing against your old team fuel extra motivation, or is it just another game? Many fans might argue it's the former, turning routine matchups into personal vendettas, but others could counter that it's all about talent shining through regardless of jersey.
The Suns, notably missing stars like Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, and Jalen Green, still put up a fight. Goodwin kicked things off with an early layup, and while Luka missed his initial shot, he quickly redeemed himself with a made basket that drew a foul, converting it into a three-point play to energize the Lakers.
Phoenix's Jared Butler led their early scoring surge with seven of their first nine points, but Reaves countered for Los Angeles, tallying four quick points. A three-pointer from LaRavia extended the lead to seven, prompting a Suns timeout and showing how a single hot shot can swing early game flow.
Emerging from the break, Luka delivered a perfect lob to Ayton for a dunk, and the Lakers capitalized on back-to-back threes from Luka and Bronny James. By the end of the first quarter, the purple and gold held a seven-point advantage, setting a tone of offensive efficiency.
The second quarter became a showcase for Luka and Reaves, who carried the team's scoring load almost single-handedly. Reaves ignited things with a powerful driving dunk right out of the gate. Luka entered midway through and immediately asserted control, facilitating two threes for Nick Smith Jr.—one after spectacularly rebounding his own missed free throw, a play that underscores the hustle and basketball IQ required at the highest level.
Luka also handled his share of the scoring, drilling a series of threes and capping his half with a step-back jumper from deep, amassing 22 points in the first two quarters alone. At halftime, Los Angeles led by 10, with Luka and Reaves combining for 40 points on a sizzling 12-for-20 shooting performance, a testament to their chemistry that's already forming.
The third quarter began promisingly for LA, as Luka and Reaves racked up five quick points. Yet, the Suns' Khaman Maluach erupted for 15 points, fueling a blistering 22-7 run that tied the game, exacerbated by the Lakers' sloppy play and 13 turnovers—a classic example of how unforced errors can derail even the strongest teams, like handing the opponent free points on a silver platter.
Goodwin added to the drama with a fouled three-pointer that he made, plus the bonus free throw for a four-point play, embodying revenge-game energy. With Luka and Reaves exiting the game, Phoenix dominated the quarter, outscoring LA 33-16 to take a six-point lead into the fourth.
In the final frame, the Lakers committed a five-second violation to start, but R.J. Davis responded with a steal and layup to spark some life. Goodwin continued his barrage with another layup, highlighting how a player in midseason form can exploit mismatches. Despite Los Angeles staying competitive until late, Phoenix sealed the deal with back-to-back threes to extend the lead to 10 points with 8:12 remaining. Nate Williams chipped in five fast points to keep things close, and Bronny ramped up his aggression for seven total points, attacking the basket effectively.
Jared Butler remained unstoppable, finishing with 33 points, while the Lakers missed key shots and couldn't mount a comeback, underscoring the importance of clutch performances in tight games.
Key Takeaways
Turnovers, as we've seen, can be a team's worst enemy—avoid them at all costs to prevent gifting points to the opposition.
The budding partnership between Luka and Ayton promises to be a game-changer, especially as they build more chemistry; envision them dominating pick-and-roll plays, much like iconic duos of the past.
And this is the part most people miss: With preseason games often lacking full lineups, how much does this really predict the regular season? Is Luka's scoring spree sustainable, or will defenses adjust? We'd love to hear your thoughts—do you think this Lakers squad has the depth to contend, or is Jordan Goodwin's 'revenge game' just a one-off? Agree or disagree in the comments below, and let's debate!
You can follow Karin on Twitter at @KarinAbcarians (https://twitter.com/KarinAbcarians).
