PHOENIX — Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant each scored 23 points and the Phoenix Suns celebrated the healthy return of both players with a 127-100 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.
Devin Booker led the way with 26 points and 10 assists as the Suns ended a five-game losing streak.
Beal had missed the last five games, while Durant had missed seven in a row. Both players were sidelined with a left calf strain.
Beal made 10 of 15 shots, including 3 of 6 from the 3-point line.
The Lakers were led by Anthony Davis, who scored 25 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. LeBron James added 18 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists. Los Angeles has lost three games in a row.
The Suns outscored the Lakers 36-18 in the third quarter, turning a tight game into a 98-78 lead. Booker scored 11 points during the streak while Jusuf Nurkic scored 10.
The Lakers have been roughed up in the third quarter of the last two games; They were outscored 37-15 in the frame against the Denver Nuggets.
Takeaway meals
Lakers: Los Angeles held firm during the first half, but cooled off after the break. The Lakers made just 8 of 34 (23.5%) shots from beyond the arc. D’Angelo Russell scored 16 points and Austin Reaves had 15.
Suns: Phoenix looked more like its old self with Durant and Beal back on the court. Nurkic rebounded from a rough start to finish with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Grayson Allen added 10 points off the bench and Royce O’Neale scored nine with three 3-pointers, which came as the Suns built their lead in the second half.
Key moment
Booker hit three consecutive shots during the Suns’ 14-2 run midway through the third quarter, helping push the lead to 86-72.
Key Statistics
The Suns are 9-1 when Durant is in the lineup and 1-6 when he is not.
Next
The Suns host the Nets on Wednesday night. The Lakers will be on the road against the Spurs on Wednesday night.
