Collin Gillespie explains what he is taking from Suns’ loss to Thunder
Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie explains how he feels about the team’s blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder and how he approaches moving on.
The Phoenix Suns nearly pulled off a crazy comeback in the fourth quarter, but fell, 116-114, to the Los Angeles Lakers, before a sellout crowd of 17,071 Dec. 14 at Mortgage Matchup Center.
The Suns (14-12) trailed by 20 points with 7:48 left in the game, but stormed back to take a 114-113 lead with 12.2 seconds left on a Dillon Brooks’ 3-pointer.
Brooks was then called for his second technical foul as it was ruled he made unsportsmanlike contact with LeBron James in celebration after a dead ball. It was Brooks’ second tech, and led to an ejection.
James missed the free throw, but the Lakers got the offensive rebound and James was later fouled on a 3 by Devin Booker with three seconds left. The Suns challenged the call, but the challenge was deemed unsuccessful.
James missed the first free throw again, but made the next two to put the Lakers up, 115-114, with three seconds left. Grayson Allen looked to give Phoenix the win, but James blocked his shot from behind.
Marcus Smart was fouled and hit one free throw to make the final score 116-114.
The Lakers (17-7) took control of the game with a 24-0 run to take a 95-77 lead with 9:30 remaining. Los Angeles finished 33-of-43 on free throws while Phoenix went 21-of-25.
Booker scored a team-high 27 points in his return after missing three games with a right groin strain. Mark Williams scored 20 points and Brooks went for 18 points before being ejected.
Luka Doncic led all scorers with 29 points, James scored 25, and Deandre Ayton posted 20 points and 13 rebounds for the Lakers, who were without Austin Reaves (left calf strain).
The Lakers and Suns played after losing in the NBA Cup quarterfinals to ensure both teams have an 82-game regular season.
The Phoenix Suns reached halftime tied at 62 after leading by as many as eight points.
The Suns are losing the free throw battle, though.
The Lakers are 17-of-23 from the line while the Suns are 4-of-6.
Devin Booker and Mark Williams each have 10 points to lead the Suns, while Luka Doncic leads all scorers with 17 for the Lakers. LeBron James has 15 points, including 7-of-10 from the line.
Dillon Brooks has four fouls, picking up his fourth with 0.9 seconds left in the half. The Lakers tied the game when James followed his missed free throw attempt and was fouled by Booker with 0.7 seconds left.
James made two free throws to tie the game.
Devin Booker will return for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers after missing three games with a right groin strain. He was previously listed as questionable.
Dillon Brooks is also available, as he was previously listed as questionable with left Achilles soreness. Brooks has been playing through that injury as of late.
The Suns are starting Collin Gillespie, Grayson Allen, Mark Williams, Brooks, and Booker, with Royce O’Neale coming off the bench. O’Neale has started 21 of the team’s 25 games this season.
The Lakers are starting Luka Doncic, Marcus Smart, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura and former Suns big Deandre Ayton. Smart is starting for Austin Reaves, who is out with a left calf strain.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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