The Los Angeles Lakers (17-7) roll into Phoenix for a marquee Western Conference showdown against the Suns (14-11), where LeBron James’ veteran savvy clashes with Kevin Durant’s scoring prowess in a battle of aging superteams. Both sides boast top-10 offenses but rank outside the top 15 defensively, promising a high-scoring affair with playoff implications hanging in the balance. The Lakers, winners of five straight, seek to extend their dominance over a Suns squad that’s dropped three of four amid backcourt inconsistencies. Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m. ET from Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The 18,422-seat arena, opened in 1992 and revamped in 2021, has been a slight edge for the Suns this season (8-5 home), where they’ve averaged 116.8 PPG but coughed up 112.4.
Broadcast coverage includes Spectrum SportsNet (for Lakers fans) and Bally Sports Arizona, with national streaming on NBA TV and NBA League Pass.
Team Records and Standings
| Team | Overall Record | Home/Away Split | Western Conference Rank | ATS Record |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 17-7 | 9-3 Home / 8-4 Away | 2nd | 14-10 |
| Phoenix Suns | 14-11 | 8-5 Home / 6-6 Away | 6th | 12-13 |
The Lakers sit atop the West, fueled by depth and James’ efficiency. Phoenix holds a wild-card spot but trails due to uneven play without a true point guard.
Recent Team Forms
L.A.’s streak features balanced scoring (118.2 PPG last 5), while Phoenix’s losses expose rebounding gaps (41.6 RPG allowed). The Suns’ transition game (16.4 fast-break PPG) thrives at home, but turnovers (14.8 per game) bite.
Los Angeles Lakers Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats (Lakers) |
| Dec. 12 | @ SAC | W 128-114 | 51.2% FG, 39.8% 3PT, 10 TOs |
| Dec. 8 | vs. DEN | W 112-105 | 47.6% FG, 36.4% 3PT, 9 TOs |
| Dec. 6 | @ UTA | W 120-108 | 49.8% FG, 41.2% 3PT, 11 TOs |
| Dec. 4 | vs. POR | W 132-102 | 55.3% FG, 45.5% 3PT, 8 TOs |
| Dec. 2 | @ GSW | W 115-113 | 46.7% FG, 34.6% 3PT, 12 TOs |
Form Summary: 5-0. Averaging 121.4 PPG while holding foes to 108.4 PPG. Elite assists (27.8 APG) and rebounding (+4.6 margin) drive the run; James’ triple-doubles (3 in last 5) anchor it.
Phoenix Suns Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats (Suns) |
| Dec. 12 | vs. MEM | L 113-118 | 46.3% FG, 33.3% 3PT, 15 TOs |
| Dec. 8 | @ DAL | W 114-108 | 48.1% FG, 38.5% 3PT, 12 TOs |
| Dec. 6 | vs. LAC | L 107-112 | 43.9% FG, 31.0% 3PT, 16 TOs |
| Dec. 4 | @ HOU | L 109-115 | 45.2% FG, 35.7% 3PT, 14 TOs |
| Dec. 2 | vs. SAS | W 126-104 | 52.4% FG, 42.1% 3PT, 10 TOs |
Form Summary: 2-3. Averaging 113.8 PPG but yielding 111.4 PPG. Durant’s usage (32.1 MPG) carries them, but poor paint D (52.6% opponent FG inside) and TOs plague road-to-home transitions.
Injury Report
Health is a wildcard: L.A.’s frontcourt holds, but Phoenix’s guard rotation thins without Beal. James’ minutes management looms, while Booker sits out with a hamstring tweak.
Los Angeles Lakers Injuries:
| Player | Status | Injury Details |
| Jaxson Hayes | Out | Left Ankle Sprain |
| Dalton Knecht | Questionable | Right Shoulder Soreness |
| Jalen Hood-Schifino | Out | G League Assignment |
Phoenix Suns Injuries:
| Player | Status | Injury Details |
| Devin Booker | Out | Right Hamstring Strain |
| Bradley Beal | Out | Left Calf Strain (Rehab) |
| Grayson Allen | Doubtful | Right Hip Flexor Strain |
| Tyus Jones | Out | G League – Two-Way |
Booker’s absence (27.1 PPG pre-injury) drops Phoenix’s spacing; Beal out amplifies Durant’s load (34.2 PPG sans Booker). Hayes’ out thins L.A.’s bench bigs.
Key Player Matchups
Without Booker’s gravity, Suns lean on Durant’s iso; Lakers’ length (No. 8 in blocks) challenges drives. LeBron’s playmaking exploits mismatches.
LeBron James (LAL, 25.3 PPG, 8.2 APG) vs. Kevin Durant (PHX, 28.4 PPG): James’ vision (9+ APG in 4/5) dissects switches; Durant (55% FG lately) isolates but tires vs. L.A.’s doubles. Edge: James—triple-double threat, over 8.5 assists.
Anthony Davis (LAL, 24.7 PPG, 12.1 RPG) vs. Jusuf Nurkic (PHX, 11.9 PPG, 9.3 RPG): AD’s rim protection (2.8 BPG) overwhelms Nurkic’s post-ups; Nurkic rebounds (10+ in 3/5 homes) but fouls out often. Edge: Davis—25+ points, 12+ boards.
Austin Reaves (LAL, 15.4 PPG, 6.0 APG) vs. Ty Jerome (PHX, 12.8 PPG): Reaves’ off-ball movement (2.1 threes/game) tests Jerome’s pressure; Jerome steps up sans guards but turns it over (2.4 TOs). Edge: Reaves—prop over 15.5 points.
Devin Booker (PHX, 27.1 PPG; Out) Impact: Bradley Beal (Out) forces Eric Gordon into spot-up role vs. Gabe Vincent (LAL): Gordon’s experience (3.2 threes/game) vs. Vincent’s quickness; without stars, efficiency dips. Edge: Neutral—watch Gordon for 15+ if Allen sits.
Bonus Watch: D’Angelo Russell (LAL) torches Phoenix’s perimeter (38.2% allowed) for 20+ off the bench.
Series History
The Lakers lead all-time (58-52), but Phoenix has flipped the script lately, winning four of the last six with Durant-era magic. Last meeting (Nov. 22, 2025: Suns 118-114) saw Durant’s 38 seal it.
Last 5 Head-to-Head Meetings:
| Date | Result | Key Notes |
| Nov. 22, 2025 | PHX 118-114 @ LAL | Durant 38 PTS; Suns rally |
| Mar. 5, 2025 | LAL 112-104 @ PHX | James triple-dbl; low TOs |
| Jan. 11, 2025 | PHX 122-116 vs. LAL | Booker 32 PTS, 6 threes |
| Dec. 5, 2024 | LAL 106-103 @ PHX | Davis 30-15; defensive slugfest |
| Oct. 22, 2024 | PHX 108-104 @ LAL | Beal debut: 20 PTS |
Trend: Suns 3-2 SU, averaging 116.0 PPG. Overs in 4/5; Lakers 2-3 ATS in series.
Betting Trends
Spread: L.A. 7-3 ATS as road faves; Phoenix 6-4 ATS as home dogs.
Totals: Lakers Overs in 55% (11/20); Suns in 60% (12/25), series favors Over.
Game Odds
Los Angeles Lakers – 1.5
Phoenix Suns 231.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, December 13, 2025
