Lakers vs. Suns: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions
The Los Angeles Lakers (31-47) play against the Phoenix Suns (16-16) at Footprint Center
Game Time: 10:30 PM EDT on Tuesday April 5, 2022
Los Angeles Lakers 12, Phoenix Suns 6 (Q1 07:52)
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Two fouls on Booker four minutes in. He’s staying in for now – 10:48 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Devin Booker picks up his 2nd foul 4 minutes into the game – 10:48 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Monk 3. #Suns down 12-4. – 10:46 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
The Nuggets are fighting harder for the Lakers right now than the Lakers have ever fought for themselves. – 10:46 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
LAL open up with a 9-2 lead in Phoenix, with Davis scoring twice inside, Bradley hitting a 3 and Howard 2 FT’s.
Phoenix is 1 for 5 from the field.
Davis is noticable bothered by his foot, once again, but playing through it thus far. – 10:46 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Suns start 1-for-5, missing some pretty open looks again. Lakers are 3-for-3 to take an early 9-4 lead – 10:46 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Suns missing great looks in the first few minutes. Good start for the Lakers. – 10:46 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
#Suns down 6-2 as Davis has four. – 10:44 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Anthony Davis has been limping through the start of the game, but still playing through everything – 10:44 PM
Los Angeles Lakers @Lakers
▶️ pic.twitter.com/NnITcSuJwh – 10:42 PM
Phoenix Suns @Suns
Book dish to DA for the first. pic.twitter.com/Plhl3wvl4C – 10:41 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
#Lakers eliminated with loss AND #Spurs win
#Pelicans locked into play-in game with win OR Lakers loss
#Spurs locked into play-in game with win AND Lakers loss
Lakers lose tiebreaker to Spurs and Pelicans
SA 75 Nuggets 65 3rd
NO 24 Kings 18 1st
LAL vs. #Suns starting lineups – 10:36 PM
Phoenix Suns @Suns
Vibin’ in The Valley. pic.twitter.com/nnLaobnYwp – 10:35 PM
Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
The stat that keeps on giving – Bulls about to drop to a combined 0-18 against Miami, Milwaukee, Philly, Memphis, Golden State and Phoenix. Because I’m rainbows and sunshine, yes, I will again put Boston in there so it’s now 1-19. – 10:17 PM
Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
Funny thing about ESPN continuing – over past 2 days – to open multiple studio shows with discussion of a Lakers team that’s 16 games under .500 is outrage from analysts asked to discuss it. Tim Legler threatened to end friendship with Mike Greenberg if Lakers brought up again. – 10:10 PM
Brad Turner @BA_Turner
Spurs up 64-44 at half over Nuggets. If Spurs win this game Lakers would be eliminated from play-in tournament. – 10:07 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
If this holds, the Suns could officially knock the Lakers out of playoff contention with a win tonight pic.twitter.com/73wmGaEEcr – 10:06 PM
Los Angeles Lakers @Lakers
LAL crew vs PHX
#SuitingUpTogether | @ToyotaSoCal pic.twitter.com/wPg9yZ7VZm – 10:06 PM
Zach Kram @zachkram
Not official yet but…
LeBron in Miami: 4 years, 4 finals (2 titles)
LeBron in his CLE return: 4 years, 4 finals (1 title)
LeBron in L.A.: 4 years, 2 missed playoffs, 1 first-round loss, 1 title – 10:06 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Lakers’ starters in Phoenix:
Dwight Howard
Anthony Davis
Malik Monk
Avery Bradley
Russell Westbrook – 10:05 PM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Lakers running back Sunday’s starting five: pic.twitter.com/39ZIDqUeum – 10:05 PM
Henry Abbott @TrueHoop
Next Lakers coach? pic.twitter.com/fsedlITOMK – 10:02 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Westbrook, Bradley, Monk, Davis and Howard will start tonight at Phoenix. – 10:01 PM
Phoenix Suns @Suns
The five! pic.twitter.com/zBKUHFLpWP – 10:00 PM
Los Angeles Lakers @Lakers
Reunited. pic.twitter.com/T2JxCoBrVF – 9:57 PM
Micah Adams @MicahAdams13
Joel Embiid overtakes LeBron James for the scoring title lead.
No center has won the scoring title since Shaq in 2000.
Scoring titles by centers
1947-1976: 22
1976-2000: 3
Since 2000: 0 – 9:53 PM
Dane Moore @DaneMooreNBA
Some added incentive for the Wolves to complete this comeback in the 4th: Denver is down by 12 to San Antonio right now
And Denver plays the Grizzlies and Lakers in their final two games. – 9:53 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
The Pied Piper of Phoenix pic.twitter.com/TeYrKXmcY3 – 9:45 PM
Phoenix Suns @Suns
Here comes Book.
@PlayAtGila | #YouDoYou pic.twitter.com/p54alWvbEn – 9:45 PM
Phoenix Suns @Suns
Tonight’s @BannerHealth Health Update: pic.twitter.com/zF2F4rpUIi – 9:30 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
40/10 games in a season since merger:
12 — Moses Malone (1982)
12 — Russell Westbrook (2017)
12 — Joel Embiid (this season)
The first two names won MVP that season. pic.twitter.com/QkrV9kXuBN – 9:23 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
For those of you scoring at home re: the NBA scoring champion chase…LeBron James is out injured tonight and Joel Embiid dropped 45 tonight. – 9:22 PM
Brad Turner @BA_Turner
Anthony Davis will play for Lakers tonight at Phoenix – 9:11 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“Obviously this is the toughest one.” #Lakers coach Frank Vogel on final four games of the season as he believes tonight’s matchup at #Suns being the toughest one. – 9:03 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Anthony Davis IN tonight vs. #Suns. #LakeShow – 9:02 PM
Bill Oram @billoram
Anthony Davis will play against the Suns, per Frank Vogel. – 9:01 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Anthony Davis will play tonight, Frank Vogel said. – 9:01 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Anthony Davis will play tonight. – 9:01 PM
Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
Anthony Davis WILL play tonight, says Frank Vogel. – 9:01 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Lakers coach Frank Vogel said Anthony Davis will be available to play tonight against the Phoenix Suns – 9:01 PM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Anthony Davis is playing tonight in Phoenix. – 9:01 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
LeBron James (ankle) out for #Lakers‘ ‘must-win’ game at #Suns with play-in hopes on line azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 9:00 PM
Los Angeles Lakers @Lakers
📍🌵 pic.twitter.com/qjfOzoYDw3 – 8:59 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“This is big for us.” #Suns coach Monty Williams on going for 63rd win at home tonight. pic.twitter.com/46QBfy5f0W – 8:56 PM
Jim Eichenhofer @Jim_Eichenhofer
Who was your #Pelicans Player of the Week for #NBA Week 24? New Orleans’ three games were at Por, at LAL, at LAC. All stats below were team highs. #PelsPOTWPoll open until 9 p.m. CT as tip-off approaching in Sacramento – 8:54 PM
Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
For those that haven’t already heard, LeBron James (ankle) is OUT for tonight’s game against the Suns.
We’ll hear from Frank Vogel shortly on who else maybe ruled out. – 8:51 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
“Not our problem.”
Monty Williams said the Suns aren’t thinking about the Lakers’ desperation and are more focused on themselves. They’re trying to get back to their standard of play, regardless of who they’re facing – 8:51 PM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Monty Williams, if the Lakers’ flagging postseason hopes factor into how the Suns approach tonight’s game: “Not our problem. The last thing I want to worry about is the Lakers’ issues.” – 8:48 PM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Anthony Davis is out on the court warming up with Mike Penberthy. Still waiting for official word on his status tonight but encouraging sign. – 8:45 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
With his last basket, Joel Embiid has supplanted LeBron James as the scoring leader. Embiid needed 35 points to pass him. He has 36 thus far. – 8:37 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
63 history tonight? Got a long line waiting to see. #Suns pic.twitter.com/6jWpy9ofTA – 8:33 PM
Jason Anderson @JandersonSacBee
Interim Kings coach Alvin Gentry said De’Aaron Fox (hand) and Domantas Sabonis (knee) have not been ruled out for Sacramento’s last two games against the Clippers and Suns, but they will only play if they are 100%. – 8:25 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Clippers upgrade Norman Powell to doubtful for tomorrow’s game vs the Phoenix Suns – 8:22 PM
Charlotte Hornets @hornets
No L👀K Melo 🕺🏻🛸💕
@LaMelo Ball x @Cody_martin15
#AllFly | @Drpepper pic.twitter.com/gbFvDwbsdV – 8:20 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
Can the Lakers still make the play-in tournament?
@champagnennuts tells @1TomByrne and @adaniels33 that it starts tonight #LakeShow
Hear the game live on NBA Radio at 10:30pm ET – https://t.co/AYipQpeyBw pic.twitter.com/scJAc3YMwD – 8:15 PM
Gary Tanguay @Gary_Tanguay
The Arm and the Fall by Gary Tanguay | Audiobook | Audible.com IT IS FINALLY HERE! My audio book! I had a blast narrating it – you will have a blast listening to it. audible.com/pd/B09X8F8HC6 – 8:08 PM
Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
Jae’Sean making plays! 👏 pic.twitter.com/sUidIBc2Q7 – 8:02 PM
Los Angeles Lakers @Lakers
Hoops in AZ 🏜
⏰: 7:30 PT
📺: @SpectrumSN & NBA TV
📻: 710 ESPN & 1330 KWKW
#LakeShow x @SociosUSA
nba.com/lakers/news/th… – 8:00 PM
Kelly Iko @KellyIkoNBA
Jae’Sean Tate’s energy keeping Houston in this one early — along with KPJ’s aggressiveness — but Brooklyn is making things difficult for their half court execution. Struggling to find a rhythm. – 7:58 PM
Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Clippers guard Norm Powell has been *upgraded* to doubtful for Wednesday’s game vs. Phoenix.
Powell hasn’t played since fracturing a bone in his foot Feb. 10 but practiced today without limitations. If he plays tomorrow, think he could be eased in off the bench initially. – 7:55 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Lonzo Ball was averaging 2.7 stocks per game this season (1.8 SPG, 0.9 BPG).
Only Chris Paul and Baron Davis have averaged more as a point guard in a season since 2000. pic.twitter.com/kLx4jz91We – 7:24 PM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Coming on with my guy @TheSportsLodge talking Lakers … – 6:46 PM
Phoenix Suns @Suns
It’s Arizona Gives Day! 🧡💜
Join @efirstbank & the Phoenix Suns by picking a non-profit of your choice and donate to something that matters: https://t.co/RRskfSpkVB pic.twitter.com/fIiJ6Tctzm – 6:18 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Draymond Green says Devin Booker is his #NBA MVP. Is he yours? (w/videos) #Suns azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 6:11 PM
Ben Rohrbach @brohrbach
For @The Vertical: Measuring the weight of statistics, losses and legacy in LeBron James’ All-NBA case.
sports.yahoo.com/measuring-the-… – 6:10 PM
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
NEW @TheCrossover Pod w/@Howard Beck: Lakers facing elimination (and what comes next), Ben Simmons wants his money, if the Nets should avoided, more; @Kevin Love on his reserve role, the Cavs success, a LeBron return, more. Links: https://t.co/l8eHfbkR3g pic.twitter.com/npNfoghfPX – 6:03 PM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Highest FG% on shots outside restricted area (4ft) and inside 3P line (22ft), min. 250 FGAs. 83 total players qualify:
Jokić – 59.3
Ayton – 55.9
CP3 – 55.2
Durant – 54.2
Aldridge – 53.9
Seth – 51.9
Mikal – 51.5
Cam Thomas – 51.4
Jonas – 51.4
Clarkson – 50.8
Jrue – 50.4 – 5:58 PM
Phoenix Suns @Suns
T. Craig with the one-handed throw down!
@efirstbank Money Drive of the Week pic.twitter.com/wiwQDmoMNv – 5:49 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
New story: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar joined SiriusXM NBA Radio to address the comments he made about @kingjames. “I want to whole-heartedly apologize to LeBron and make it clear to him that I have tremendous respect for him,” @Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said. es.pn/3j92484 – 5:43 PM
Bob Garcia @bgarciaivsports
As chatter floats around that Frank Vogel will be gone after this season, here are three early candidates the #Lakers may pursue to replace him.
#LakeShow #NBA
sportscasting.com/lakers-news-3-… – 5:30 PM
NBA Math @NBA_Math
LeBron James can win the scoring title without actually qualifying for the scoring title.
Wait, what?
From @fromal09 on @Sportscasting19: sportscasting.com/lebron-james-n… – 5:30 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Another layer to #Suns regular season finale. pic.twitter.com/FkO5gJKrDH – 4:48 PM
Phoenix Suns @Suns
Prepare for the moment.
📍 @Verizon 5G Performance Center pic.twitter.com/2AYAyvWXtc – 4:44 PM
Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
THE DEFINITIVE 2022 NBA MVP DEEP DIVE WITH @Matt Moore.
We dive into Jokic, Giannis, Embiid, Booker, Luka, Tatum, and KD and give cases for why. We give a ballot as of right now, too!
APPLE: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/gam…
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: youtube.com/watch?v=5S5fN9… – 4:33 PM
Tas Melas @TasMelas
Suns are favored by 13 over the Lakers tonight. Seems small. – 4:32 PM
