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National Basketball Association
L.A. Lakers 106, Phoenix 103
When: 10:00 PM ET, Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
Officials: #58 Josh Tiven, #37 Eric Dalen, #49 Tom Washington
Attendance: 18664

LeBron James scored 31 points and dished out 11 assists, Anthony Davis added 27 points and 15 rebounds and the Los Angeles Lakers advanced to the semifinals of the NBA in-season tournament with a 106-103 victory over the visiting Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.

Austin Reaves scored 20 points for the Lakers, who will face the New Orleans Pelicans in one semifinal game Thursday at Las Vegas. The Milwaukee Bucks will face the Indiana Pacers in the other semifinal, also on Thursday at Las Vegas, with the final set for Saturday there.

Los Angeles improved to 5-0 during in-season tournament games.

Kevin Durant scored 31 points for the Suns, who lost for the third time in their past four games after a seven-game winning streak. Phoenix lost two of its five games in the in-season tournament, both against Los Angeles.

Devin Booker and Grayson Allen each scored 21 points for the Suns, with Booker grabbing 11 rebounds. Phoenix head coach Frank Vogel, who was the Lakers' coach when they won the 2020 NBA title, is 0-3 this season against his former team.

The Suns took a 95-94 lead on a 3-pointer from Durant with 5:45 remaining, but then they went more than four minutes without a field goal as the Lakers took a 102-97 lead with 2:20 remaining after six consecutive L.A. points from James.

Durant ended the field-goal drought with a short jumper to bring Phoenix within 102-99 with 1:02 remaining, and Booker brought the Suns within a point at 102-101 on a layup with 30 seconds left.

After missing his first five shots of the fourth quarter, Reaves buried a 3-pointer with 15 seconds left for a 105-101 lead. Durant made a quick layup to get the Suns within 105-103, and Davis sank 1 of 2 free throws with 6.6 seconds remaining. Durant missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer.

The Lakers stormed out to a 33-23 lead after one quarter, assisted by 10 Suns turnovers. Los Angeles led 59-47 at halftime after Davis scored 20 points and pulled down six rebounds.

After the Suns opened the second half on a 14-0 run, the Lakers were up 83-82 through three quarters.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Phoenix   L.A. Lakers
Kevin Durant 31 Scoring LeBron James 31
Devin Booker 6 Assists LeBron James 11
Devin Booker 11 Rebounds Anthony Davis 15
Devin Booker 8 Free Throws Made Anthony Davis 7
Grayson Allen 2 Steals LeBron James 5
Grayson Allen 1 Blocks Anthony Davis 2
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Phoenix 103 49.3 12-25 17-21 25 44 5 8 22
L.A. Lakers 106 37.3 9-30 21-25 24 45 2 11 10
Upcoming Games
  • L.A. Lakers will play their next game at home against New Orleans. The Lakers have a W/L % of .500 after a win and .700 after a loss.
  • Phoenix will play their next game at home against Sacramento. The Suns have a W/L % of .615 after a win and .500 after a loss.