The Los Angeles Lakers (19-8) travel to Phoenix to battle the Suns (15-13) in a Western Conference showdown that’s the third meeting between these rivals this season. The Lakers have won the last two encounters, including a narrow 116-114 road victory on December 14 where LeBron James sealed the win with late free throws after blowing a 20-point lead. However, Phoenix snapped LA’s seven-game winning streak earlier on December 2 with a 125-108 blowout at Crypto.com Arena. With Luka Dončić sidelined and other key injuries on both sides, this game could turn on the performances of veterans like LeBron James and Devin Booker, as the Lakers aim to maintain their strong road form while the Suns look to leverage home-court advantage and defensive steals (league-leading 11.1 per game) to climb back toward .500.
Venue Location
Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ. This 18,055-seat arena has been a solid home for the Suns this season, where they’ve gone 9-5 straight up, though their defense allows slightly more points (115.2) at home compared to overall.
Tipoff is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET. The game will be broadcast on Spectrum SportsNet (Lakers feed) and Arizona’s Family 3TV (Suns feed), with national streaming available via NBA League Pass.
Injury Report
Injuries are a major storyline, with the Lakers missing their star guard and several rotation players, potentially forcing heavy minutes on LeBron James and Deandre Ayton. The Suns are also banged up in the backcourt but have their core intact. Reports as of December 22 evening.
Los Angeles Lakers:
Out: Luka Dončić (left leg contusion – expected return Dec. 25), Rui Hachimura (right groin soreness – expected return Dec. 25), Gabe Vincent (lumbar back strain – expected return Dec. 28).
Questionable: Austin Reaves (left calf contusion – game-time decision).
Notable Notes: Dončić’s absence is a blow to LA’s offense (averaging 34.7 PPG league-wide), shifting scoring to LeBron (recently 29 points vs. Suns) and Ayton (double-double threat). If Reaves sits, expect more from Max Christie or Dalton Knecht in the backcourt.
Phoenix Suns:
Out: Jalen Green (right hamstring strain – expected return Jan. 7).
Questionable: Grayson Allen (right knee soreness – game-time decision), Koby Brea (concussion – game-time decision).
Notable Notes: Green’s absence thins the wing depth, but Devin Booker (27 PPG in last Suns loss to LA) and Bradley Beal should handle the load. If Allen sits, expect more from Royce O’Neale or Ryan Dunn defensively. Jusuf Nurkić and Kevin Durant are healthy and key to rebounding battles.
Player Matchups
With Dončić out, the focus shifts to veteran stars and interior clashes. The Lakers’ high-powered offense (118.0 PPG, 2nd in league) faces Phoenix’s opportunistic defense (11.1 SPG, 1st in league), but injuries could lead to mismatches.
LeBron James (LAL) vs. Kevin Durant (PHX): The marquee duel pits two all-time greats. James (averaging 23.8 PPG, 8.4 APG) exploded for 29 points and game-winning free throws in the Dec. 14 win, exploiting Phoenix’s 22nd-ranked opponent FG%. Durant (25.6 PPG) will counter with mid-range scoring, but LA’s wings like Josh Hart could help contain him.
Deandre Ayton (LAL) vs. Jusuf Nurkić (PHX): Ayton (12.4 PPG, 9.2 RPG with LA) provides size inside, but Nurkić (11.8 PPG, 10.4 RPG) dominates the glass for Phoenix, which ranks 10th in rebounds (42.1). This matchup could decide second-chance points, especially with LA allowing 44.2 RPG to opponents.
Austin Reaves (LAL, if available) vs. Devin Booker (PHX): Reaves (16.2 PPG) is questionable but crucial for LA’s playmaking without Dončić; he’ll face Booker (26.4 PPG), who dropped 27 in the last loss but struggles defensively (Suns rank 18th in opponent 3PT%). If Reaves sits, Max Christie guards Booker.
Other Key Battles: Bradley Beal (PHX, 18.7 PPG) vs. LA’s depleted guards—expect steals from Phoenix. If Allen plays, his shooting (41% from three) tests LA’s perimeter D (8th in opponent 3PT%).
Phoenix’s steals and home energy give them an edge, but LA’s road resilience (10-4 away) keeps it competitive.
Recent Team Forms
The Lakers have cooled slightly with injuries, while the Suns alternate wins and losses in a streaky December.
Los Angeles Lakers (Last 5 Games):
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Dec 20 | @ LA Clippers | L 88-103 |
| Dec 18 | @ Utah Jazz | W 143-135 |
| Dec 14 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 116-114 |
| Dec 10 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 119-132 |
| Dec 7 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 112-108 |
Form: 3-2 in last 5, averaging 116.0 PPG while allowing 118.4. High-scoring wins (e.g., 143 in Utah, led by Dončić’s 45-point triple-double) contrast with defensive collapses, like the season-low 88 vs. Clippers.
Phoenix Suns (Last 5 Games):
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Dec 20 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 116-119 |
| Dec 18 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 99-98 |
| Dec 14 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 114-116 |
| Dec 10 | @ Oklahoma City Thunder | L 89-138 |
| Dec 8 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 108-105 |
Form: 2-3 in last 5, averaging 105.2 PPG while allowing 115.2. Defensive gems (99 points allowed vs. Warriors) mix with blowouts (138 conceded to OKC), highlighting inconsistency without Green.
Series History
The Lakers hold a dominant all-time edge: 154-120 in regular-season games (56.2% win rate) and 38-30 in playoffs. Recently, Phoenix has pushed back, going 6-4 in the last 10 meetings, including the Dec. 2 win (125-108). However, LA has won the last two, both close affairs. At Footprint Center, the Suns are 4-6 in the last 10 home games vs. the Lakers.
Betting Trends
Phoenix is 17-9-2 ATS overall but 1-4 ATS in last 5 home games. Lakers are 4-2 ATS in last 6 vs. Suns and 7-2 SU in last 9 road games. Over is 13-15 in Suns games this year and 4-1 in last 5 vs. Lakers. Under is 4-1 in LA’s last 5 road games.
Lakers 4-1 ATS after a loss; Suns 6-2 ATS as 3-5 point favorites. Series overs hit in 7 of last 10.
Game Odds
Los Angeles Lakers 226.5
Phoenix Suns – 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 22, 2025
