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The LA Lakers took on the Phoenix Suns for the second time in the preseason on Thursday. Los Angeles, which lost 118-114 in the first meeting, bounced back with a 128-122 overtime win on the road without LeBron James. Anthony Davis was dominant the entire game. Rookie Dalton Knecht exploded for 30 second-half points, including 13 in the extra period to carry the visiting team.
Devin Booker finished with 20 first-half points but colled off in the second half. The Suns' starters did most of their job but the team hardly got contribution from the bench. Jusuf Nurkic, who played his first preseason game, finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in 17 minutes.
LA Lakers vs Phoenix Suns player stats and box score
LA Lakers player stats and box score
Phoenix Suns player stats and box score
LA Lakers vs Phoenix Suns: Game Summary
The Suns rolled out their starting unit for the first time this season. Jusuf Nurkic finally debuted in his team’s preseason finale. Nurkic joined Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and Tyus Jones for tip-off.
Anthony Davis had a sizzling start, scoring 14 points and grabbing five rebounds in eight minutes. AD finished with 15 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal in the first quarter. He had his way against Nurkic who looked out of sorts in stretches when guarding the All-Star big man. LA took a 35-30 lead after the first period.
The Suns kept within striking distance behind a balanced attack led by Booker in the first quarter. When Booker briefly cooled off to start the second frame, Durant, Nurkic and Jones took over. The Suns leaned on their starters to surge to a 67-62 halftime lead.
The Anthony Davis show continued in the second half. Jurkic, Mason Plumlee, Bol Bol, Oso Ighodaro and the Phoenix Suns frontline had little success against him. AD ended the night with 35 points, 10 rebounds, four assissts and one block in 34 minutes.
Dalton Knecht stole the show, however, from the star-studded names on the court. He erupted for 30 second-half points and carried the Lakers when needed most. Knecht's 13 extra time buckets pushed his team to a well-deserved 128-122 win.
