Suns Defeat Lakers in NBA Season Opener

The Phoenix Suns faced the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on October 25, 2024, marking the first time since the 2024 Olympics that stars Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker shared the court. The Suns took an early lead with strong performances from Durant and Booker, contributing to a 38-23 first-quarter advantage. The Lakers, led by Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves, narrowed the deficit to nine points by halftime, despite LeBron James struggling offensively. This game was anticipated as a significant matchup between two evolving teams and their star duos, with the Suns' depth being highlighted as a potential advantage. Phoenix's head coach Mike Budenholzer's experience was also seen as a factor against the Lakers' new coach JJ Redick. The game was expected to test both teams' adaptability following disappointing performances in the previous season.