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(1/36)November 10, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) receives medical attention during a timeout against the Phoenix Suns in the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports acquires licensing rights
November 11 – LeBron James scored 32 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, D’Angelo Russell added 19 points with nine assists and the Los Angeles Lakers ended a three-game losing streak with a 122-119 victory over the host Phoenix Suns in The NBA season opener for both teams takes place on Friday.
Anthony Davis had 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers after missing Wednesday’s game in Houston with a hip injury. Cam Reddish scored 17 points in a rare start and Austin Reaves added 15 after taking on a reserve role for the first time this season.
Los Angeles won on the road for the first time in six tries.
Kevin Durant scored 38 points with nine rebounds and Bradley Beal added 24 points in his second game of the season, ending Phoenix’s brief two-game winning streak. The Suns played without Devin Booker (calf) for the seventh time in the last eight games.
Jusuf Nurkic scored 14 points with nine rebounds for the Suns, while Keita Bates-Diop had 11 points and Eric Gordon 13.
Durant scored nine points in 71 seconds late in the third quarter to give Phoenix a 92-81 lead.
But the Lakers got within 96-89 early in the fourth quarter and used an 11-0 run to open the final period with a 100-96 lead with 8:57 left. It was the first lead in five minutes after the start of the game.
Los Angeles was ahead 107-101 after a James layup with 5:48 left, but Phoenix got within 115-113 with 2:23 left.
The Lakers got some breathing room with a possession that included three missed shots and three offensive rebounds before Reddish hit a 3-pointer with 1:10 left to take a 118-113 lead.
The Lakers’ first quarter struggles continued as they were outscored 34-25 in the opening period. Los Angeles now has a lead of minus 93 points in the first quarter after nine games.
The Suns led 63-55 at halftime and outscored the Lakers 32-18 in the first two quarters.
The Lakers play their first home game of the season tournament on Tuesday against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Suns play their next tournament game of the season next Friday on the road against the Utah Jazz.
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