Lakers vs Phoenix Suns Match Player Stats: Dončić’s 33-Point Masterclass (107-96)
Looking at the Lakers vs Phoenix Suns match player stats from their March 16, 2025 showdown reveals exactly why LA walked away with the win despite missing their biggest star.
I’ve dissected every number, tracked each performance trend, and uncovered the real story behind this Western Conference clash that saw the Lakers snap their four-game losing streak with an impressive display of depth.
Game Overview: Lakers’ First Quarter Dominance Sets the Tone
The Lakers established command early and maintained control throughout, securing a decisive 107-96 victory at Crypto.com Arena on March 16.
Here’s the quarter-by-quarter breakdown that tells the story:
| Quarter | Suns | Lakers |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 15 | 31 |
| 2nd | 22 | 23 |
| 3rd | 34 | 29 |
| 4th | 25 | 24 |
| Total | 96 | 107 |
That 16-point first-quarter advantage proved insurmountable.
While Phoenix showed resilience in the third quarter, outscoring LA 34-29, the early deficit was simply too steep to overcome.
The win pushed the Lakers’ record to 40-25 while dropping the struggling Suns to 31-36, further dimming Phoenix’s play-in tournament prospects.
Team Statistical Comparison: Where LA Won the Battle
Examining the core team metrics reveals precisely how this game was decided:
| Team Stat | Suns | Lakers | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | 35-89 (39.3%) | 35-81 (43.2%) | Lakers |
| 3-Pointers | 9-41 (22.0%) | 14-39 (35.9%) | Lakers |
| Free Throws | 17-21 (81.0%) | 23-32 (71.9%) | Lakers (volume) |
| Rebounds | 59 (13 off) | 54 (7 off) | Suns |
| Assists | 25 | 22 | Suns |
| Turnovers | 14 | 9 | Lakers |
| Steals | 5 | 7 | Lakers |
| Blocks | 4 | 5 | Lakers |
The stats tell a clear story. Despite Phoenix’s advantage on the glass (+5 rebounds), the Lakers:
- Shot significantly better from three-point range (+13.9%)
- Protected the ball more effectively (-5 turnovers)
- Generated more free throw attempts (+11 points from the line)
These advantages proved decisive in the 11-point victory.
Luka Dončić: Masterclass in LeBron’s Absence
Dončić delivered an elite performance that showed why the Lakers acquired him, filling the void left by LeBron’s injury:
- Points: 33
- Rebounds: 11
- Assists: 8
- Steals: 2
- Plus/Minus: +16
- Shooting Splits: 40.0% FG | 36.4% 3PT | 92.9% FT (13-14)
- Minutes: 40
What makes these numbers even more impressive?
Dončić was returning from an ankle injury that had sidelined him against Denver. His near-perfect free throw shooting generated 13 crucial points from the line, demonstrating his ability to score efficiently even when shots weren’t falling at his typical rate.
Historical context: This performance helped Dončić tie LeBron James’ record for the fastest Laker to reach 300 points and 100 assists with the team – basketball royalty territory in the storied Lakers franchise.
Austin Reaves: The Perfect Complementary Scorer
With LeBron out, Austin Reaves embraced expanded offensive responsibilities with remarkable efficiency:
- Points: 28
- Rebounds: 4
- Assists: 6
- Steals: 2
- Blocks: 1
- Shooting Splits: 47.6% FG (10-21) | 40.0% 3PT (4-10) | 80.0% FT
- Plus/Minus: +14
- Minutes: 39
Reaves continued his hot shooting streak, marking his fourth consecutive game with 4+ three-pointers – a level of consistency that has transformed him from role player to essential starter.
His 28-point performance significantly exceeded his season average of 19.6 points, highlighting his ability to elevate his game when the team needs additional scoring punch.
Supporting Cast Steps Up: Lakers’ Depth Shines
Winning without LeBron James requires contributions throughout the rotation, and the Lakers’ role players delivered in spades:
Jaxson Hayes:
- 19 points on remarkable 80% shooting (8-10)
- 4 rebounds, 2 assists
- 1 steal, 2 blocks
- 29 minutes
Hayes matched his season-high in points, providing essential interior scoring presence and rim protection.
Dorian Finney-Smith:
- 10 points, 5 rebounds
- 1 assist, 1 steal
- Clutch three-pointer in closing minutes
- 36 minutes
His timely three when Phoenix had cut the lead to just 8 points (100-92) effectively sealed the victory and showcased his big-moment readiness.
Bench Production:
- Gabe Vincent: 9 points (3-7 FG, 3-5 3PT)
- Dalton Knecht: 3 points, 2 rebounds
- Christian Koloko: 3 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block
- Jarred Vanderbilt: 0 points, 3 rebounds (solid defense)
The Lakers’ depth advantage proved significant, especially with two starters (LeBron James and Rui Hachimura) sidelined.
Suns’ Star Struggles: The Phoenix Problem
The loss can be largely attributed to the inefficient performances of Phoenix’s usually reliable stars:
Kevin Durant:
- Points: 21
- Rebounds: 9
- Assists: 2
- Shooting Splits: 35.3% FG (6-17) | 28.6% 3PT | 70.0% FT
- Turnovers: 5
- Plus/Minus: -12
- Minutes: 37
Durant shot dramatically below his season averages (52.6% FG, 41.6% 3PT), and his team-high 5 turnovers proved costly in a game where possessions were at a premium.
Devin Booker:
- Points: 19
- Rebounds: 6
- Assists: 11
- Shooting Splits: 35.3% FG (6-17) | 0.0% 3PT (0-3) | 100% FT
- Personal Fouls: 5
- Plus/Minus: -13
- Minutes: 40
Despite leading the Suns in assists with 11, Booker’s shooting woes (particularly from beyond the arc) and foul trouble limited his overall impact.
Bradley Beal:
- Limited to just 4 points on 2-6 shooting
- 15 minutes before exiting with a left hamstring injury
Beal’s early departure proved significant, further straining Phoenix’s offensive options and placing additional pressure on Durant and Booker to carry the scoring load.
Phoenix’s Bright Spots: Building Blocks Amid Struggle
Despite the loss, several Suns players showed promise:
Ryan Dunn:
- 13 points, 3 rebounds
- 3 steals, 2 blocks
- Team-best +1 plus/minus
- 41.7% FG (5-12), 25.0% 3PT (1-4)
The rookie displayed his two-way potential, providing defensive energy and opportunistic scoring.
Nick Richards:
- 11 points on 83.3% shooting (5-6)
- 6 rebounds, 1 block
- 19 minutes
Richards provided efficient interior scoring and rebounding in limited minutes.
Tyus Jones:
- 8 points, 5 assists
- 0 turnovers
- 42.9% FG (3-7), 33.3% 3PT (1-3)
Jones’ steady ball-handling and playmaking kept the offense functioning despite the starters’ struggles.
Game Flow: Key Momentum Shifts
The contest featured several critical turning points that shaped the outcome:
- Lakers’ Explosive Start (1st Quarter)
- A 9-0 opening run established immediate control
- Lakers built a commanding 31-15 first-quarter advantage
- Set the defensive tone that carried throughout
- Phoenix’s Third Quarter Push
- Suns outscored Lakers 34-29 in the third
- Kevin Durant scored seven consecutive points during this stretch
- Cut what had been a 20-point deficit to more manageable territory
- Dorian Finney-Smith’s Dagger (4th Quarter)
- With Phoenix within 8 points (100-92) and momentum shifting
- Finney-Smith connected on a corner three with under 2 minutes remaining
- Effectively extinguished the Suns’ comeback hopes
The Injury Factor: Missing Pieces Reshape the Game
Both teams navigated significant absences that fundamentally altered their approaches:
Lakers:
- LeBron James (left groin strain) – missed his fourth consecutive game
- Rui Hachimura (knee) – unavailable for his ninth straight game
Suns:
- Bradley Beal – exited early with a left hamstring injury
These absences dramatically shaped the game’s dynamics, with the Lakers proving more capable of adapting without their superstar. Coach JJ Redick indicated post-game that James was “ramping up” toward a return, but no specific timeline was provided.
Playoff Picture Impact: Western Conference Implications
This victory carried significant playoff ramifications for both franchises:
For the Lakers:
- Maintained their position in the Western Conference playoff race
- Eventually improved to 41-25 after winning their subsequent game against San Antonio
- Extended their home winning streak to seven games
- Demonstrated their viability as contenders even without LeBron
For the Suns:
- Missed a crucial opportunity to gain ground in the play-in race
- Remained 1.5 games behind Dallas for the final play-in tournament spot
- Extended their concerning pattern of offensive inconsistency
- Further complicated their path to postseason contention
The Lakers’ Wing-Centric Strategy: A Season-Long Advantage
Even without LeBron James, the Lakers’ wing-heavy approach yielded success, continuing a season-long pattern:
- The team has posted a +4.4 net rating per 100 possessions when playing without a conventional center
- Their small-ball lineups featuring multiple wings have consistently outperformed opponents
- This game reinforced that formula, with Hayes providing just enough interior presence while perimeter players controlled the action
This strategic approach has become a defining characteristic of the 2024-25 Lakers, allowing them to maximize their roster versatility regardless of who’s available.
- Also Read: Phoenix Suns vs LA Clippers Match Player Stats.
FAQ: Lakers vs Phoenix Suns Match Player Stats From March 2025 Matchup
Who scored the most points in the Lakers vs Suns game?
Luka Dončić led all scorers with 33 points for the Lakers, while also contributing 11 rebounds and 8 assists in a near triple-double performance that earned him a game-high +16 plus/minus rating.
How did the Lakers win despite being outrebounded?
The Lakers overcame their rebounding disadvantage (59-54) by shooting significantly better from three-point range (35.9% vs 22.0%), committing fewer turnovers (9 vs 14), and generating more free throw attempts (32 vs 21), creating an 11-point scoring advantage at the line.
Which Lakers players stepped up in LeBron James’ absence?
Luka Dončić (33 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists) and Austin Reaves (28 points, 6 assists) carried the offensive load, while Jaxson Hayes added 19 points on 80% shooting. Dorian Finney-Smith contributed 10 points including a crucial late three-pointer that sealed the victory.
What happened to Bradley Beal during the game?
Bradley Beal exited the game in the second quarter with a left hamstring injury after playing just 15 minutes and scoring 4 points on 2-6 shooting. This injury further depleted Phoenix’s offensive options and contributed to their struggles.
Why did Kevin Durant and Devin Booker shoot so poorly?
Both stars shot an identical 6-17 (35.3%) from the field, well below their season averages, due to the Lakers’ focused defensive scheme and their own shooting rhythm issues. Their combined 2-12 performance from three-point range proved particularly costly in the 11-point loss.
What does this loss mean for the Suns’ playoff chances?
The defeat left Phoenix 1.5 games behind Dallas for the final play-in tournament spot in the Western Conference, significantly complicating their path to postseason contention with just 15 games remaining in their regular season.
How many consecutive home wins do the Lakers have after this victory?
This win extended the Lakers’ home winning streak to seven games, establishing Crypto.com Arena as a fortress during their playoff push despite their recent road struggles (having lost four straight away games before this home victory).
Looking Forward: What’s Next for Both Teams
Lakers: Build on this momentum while awaiting LeBron’s return. With their wing-centric approach proving effective, they can continue to leverage their depth and versatility as they solidify their playoff positioning.
Suns: Address their three-point shooting struggles (22.0% in this game) and hope for a quick recovery from Bradley Beal’s hamstring injury as they battle for play-in tournament positioning with limited margin for error.
The Lakers vs Phoenix Suns match player stats tell a comprehensive story of LA’s depth and resilience prevailing over Phoenix’s star-power struggles – a microcosm of both teams’ 2024-25 seasons as they head toward very different playoff destinies.
