WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSDevin Booker on loss to Lakers | 1:15
Suns guard Devin Booker reacts to Thursday night’s loss to the Lakers.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSDevin Booker on Suns’ loss to Wizards | 1:29
Suns guard Devin Booker talks about his team’s fight in Tuesday’s loss to the Wizards and the team’s attitude after P.J. Tucker was traded at the trade deadline. Doug Haller/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: Final Four contenders, Ulis vs. Thomas, Taijuan Walker | 1:58
Shot Clock: Final Four contenders, Isaiah Thomas vs. Tyler Ulis and Taijuan Walker has a good outing for the Diamondbacks. Video: azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSuns’ Tyler Ulis on buzzer beater | 0:49
Phoenix Suns’ Tyler Ulis talks about his game-winning shot against the Celtics on Sunday, March 5, 2017. (Doug Haller/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSAlan Williams on Suns’ win over Thunder | 1:37
Suns center Alan Williams discusses Friday night’s win over the Thunder.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSBroadcaster Al McCoy talks about his induction into the Suns Ring of Honor | 0:40
Broadcaster Al McCoy, “The Voice of the Suns” talks about his induction into the Suns Ring of Honor on Mar. 3, 2017 in Phoenix, Ariz. By Rob Schumacher
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: NBA MVP debate, Cardinals DBs | 1:59
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley break down the NBA MVP race and a possible reunion in the Cardinals defensive backfield.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSNBA player makes $415,000 for two hours | 0:27
Jose Calderon made 415K for two hours and he didn’t even play. Veuer’s Nick Cardona explains why. Buzz60
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSNBA star will donate $1,000 for every point and assist he makes | 1:03
This point guard is making his next inspirational move. Buzz60’s Emily Drooby (@emilydrooby) has the story. Buzz60
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSAre Cavaliers or Warriors favored to win NBA title? | 1:28
Former NBA player Eddie Johnson tells us who’s favored to win the NBA championship. USA TODAY Sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSBooker on Carter’s ejection, “chippy” loss in Memphis | 1:28
Suns guard Devin Booker discusses Vince Carter’s ejection after hitting Booker with an elbow in a “chippy” loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday. Doug Haller/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTST.J. Warren on Suns’ loss to Bucks | 1:04
Suns forward T.J. Warren discusses the team’s loss to the Bucks on Sunday and how he’s been feeling recently. Doug Haller/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSAlan Williams on Suns’ OT loss in Chicago | 1:01
Suns center Alan Williams discusses a Suns overtime loss to the Bulls
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSPJ Tucker after being traded by Suns: ‘I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t a tough day for me’ | 1:14
PJ Tucker, after being traded by the Phoenix Suns to the Toronto Raptors said: “Phoenix has changed my life. All the people here, all the fans… I couldn’t ask for a better place.” Video: Doug Haller/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSuns’ trade of P.J. Tucker no big surprise | 2:21
Jay Dieffenbach and Doug Haller of azcentral sports talk about the Suns’ defensive future and the trade of P.J. Tucker to Toronto. Hannah Gaber/azcentral.com
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSAlan Williams watching his mother’s police chief ceremony | 1:04
Phoenix Suns center Alan Williams watches his mother, Jeri Williams, sworn in as Phoenix police chief in Chesapeake Energy Arena. (Paul Coro/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSuns ’embrace youth’ in WeArePHX ‘Momentum’ video | 2:55
Hosted by head coach Earl Watson, who says the Suns “embrace and celebrate our youth.” Video: Phoenix Suns
Shot Clock: Final Four contenders, Ulis vs. Thomas, Taijuan Walker
Suns’ Tyler Ulis on buzzer beater
Alan Williams on Suns’ win over Thunder
Broadcaster Al McCoy talks about his induction into the Suns Ring of Honor
Shot Clock: NBA MVP debate, Cardinals DBs
NBA player makes $415,000 for two hours
NBA star will donate $1,000 for every point and assist he makes
Are Cavaliers or Warriors favored to win NBA title?
Booker on Carter’s ejection, “chippy” loss in Memphis
T.J. Warren on Suns’ loss to Bucks
Alan Williams on Suns’ OT loss in Chicago
PJ Tucker after being traded by Suns: ‘I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t a tough day for me’
Suns’ trade of P.J. Tucker no big surprise
Alan Williams watching his mother’s police chief ceremony
Suns ’embrace youth’ in WeArePHX ‘Momentum’ video
Late Thursday night, before Earl Watson began his postgame news conference, someone told him to smile.
“You know what?” The Suns coach said. “It’s hard to smile when you get your butt kicked. I take that personally.”
The Suns played some of their best basketball during this five-game home stand. They beat Charlotte, Oklahoma City and Boston, and played the Washington Wizards tight most of the way.
Thursday night, they took a step back.
Blown out of Talking Stick Resort Arena just three weeks ago, the Los Angeles Lakers showed some pride with a 122-110 win in a battle of bottom Western Conference teams. The effort snapped an eight-game losing streak.
On Feb. 15, the night before the All-Star break, the Suns thumped the Lakers 137-101, setting a season-high for scoring. After the game, Lakers coach Luke Walton questioned the Lakers’ effort, suggesting their minds were on vacation. This contest was much different.
Guard D’Angelo Russell led a balanced Lakers attack with 28 points, hitting 6 of 9 from 3-point range. Jordan Clarkson added 19 points, while Julius Randle contributed 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Los Angeles (20-45) shot 48 percent and hit 12 of 27 from 3-point range. They had 24 second-chance points.
The Suns led 63-61 at halftime but fell apart in the third quarter. Los Angeles scored eight in a row to take a 69-65 lead. Rookie Brandon Ingram dunked over Alex Len for a 74-67 lead. Six minutes later, Randle missed inside, grabbed the rebound, missed again and grabbed the rebound. Given a third chance, the former Kentucky star converted for an 87-77 lead.
The Suns shot of 8 of 21 in the third. They were outscored 29-18 and trailed 90-81 entering the fourth. With five minutes left in the contest, Randle buried a 3-pointer to give the Lakers a 116-95 lead, their largest of the night. The Suns fought back. Rookie Marquese Chriss buried two 3s and Devin Booker hit a runner in the lane to trigger a 13-1 push and pull Phoenix to within 117-108.
Booker scored off a back-cut to make it 117-110 with under a minute to go, but Russell responded with his sixth 3-pointer, putting the game out of reach.
Booker led the Suns (21-44) with 23 points. Forward Alan Williams added 16 points and 10 rebounds, while forward T.J. Warren produced 17 and 13, his second consecutive double-double. Phoenix shot 46.2 percent but hit just 6 of 19 from 3-point range.
The Suns finished the home stand 3-2. They visit Dallas on Saturday before returning to downtown Phoenix for three more contests.