LeBron James and Anthony Davis Dominate Fourth Quarter to Spoil Kevin Durant’s Stellar Night
LOS ANGELES — The highly anticipated Lakers vs. Suns matchup may have been missing two star players, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, due to injuries, but the absence of these players did not overshadow the intensity of the game. Fans were treated to a showdown between LeBron James and Kevin Durant, two of the greatest basketball players of all time. After a five-year hiatus caused by injuries, James and Durant finally shared the court again on Thursday, creating a thrilling and suspenseful fourth quarter. Here are five key takeaways from the Lakers’ 100-95 victory, including why the game was closer than expected and the challenges both teams and their stars are facing early in the season.
1. LeBron James Shatters Minutes Restriction Plan
In a game where the Lakers were missing their fair share of key players, they relied on the 21st season veteran, LeBron James, to carry the team through the entire fourth quarter. James not only survived the challenge but thrived under pressure. The Lakers face the delicate task of keeping James fresh and healthy throughout the season while still striving for victory. In the season opener against the Denver Nuggets, James played only 29 minutes and questioned the wisdom of sitting out for lengthy periods in potential winnable games. With Anthony Davis failing to take charge in the previous game’s fourth quarter, James and the Lakers altered their strategy against the Suns. Ego certainly played a role, as a loss to the depleted Suns and Durant would have been unacceptable for James. James scored 10 crucial points in the fourth quarter, including a layup through two defenders that put the Lakers ahead for good. He also made a chase-down block, displaying the incredible athleticism and determination of a player who will turn 39 in December.
2. Kevin Durant’s Struggles Against Tough Defense
Although Kevin Durant is undoubtedly an exceptional player who has the ability to carry a team, the Phoenix Suns’ championship hopes heavily rely on the health and presence of Durant, Booker, and Beal on the court together. If one or both of these players are absent, the Suns struggle to stay competitive. Against the Lakers, Durant had to carry a significant load, which inevitably took its toll on him. The Lakers aggressively defended Durant, employing double teams and physicality throughout the game. Durant still managed to showcase his greatness in the third quarter by scoring 15 points. However, in the fourth quarter, he struggled to get good shots due to the relentless defense applied to him. Durant expressed frustration, stating that it was difficult to maneuver on the court when he was consistently being watched by multiple defenders. Once the Suns have their complete lineup, Durant will have the advantage of passing to skilled scorers like Booker and Beal. Until then, he will have to rely on lesser-known teammates like Grayson Allen and Josh Okogie.
3. Lack of Interior Presence for the Suns
The Suns made a decent trade when they acquired Jusuf Nurkic as their starting center in exchange for Deandre Ayton. Nurkic is a better fit for the team’s defensive and rebounding needs and is unlikely to complain about shot distribution on a team with three primary scorers. However, beyond Nurkic, the Suns lack a formidable presence in the paint, which was evident in their matchup against the Lakers. When Nurkic faced foul trouble or was resting, the Suns struggled to defend the Lakers effectively. Durant was forced to defend Anthony Davis multiple times, further adding to his workload. This lack of interior depth could become a significant factor in future matchups against teams like the Denver Nuggets, led by dominant center Nikola Jokic. The Suns may need to address this issue before the trade deadline if they hope to compete at a high level.
4. Anthony Davis Finds His Rhythm
Following a disappointing performance in the season opener, Anthony Davis faced criticism on social media. However, Lakers coach Darvin Ham emphasized the importance of Davis staying aggressive, irrespective of the outcome. Davis took this advice to heart in the game against the Suns, particularly in the fourth quarter. He attacked the basket relentlessly, drawing fouls and scoring 13 points from the free-throw line alone. Davis finished the game with an impressive 30 points, proving that he can bounce back and contribute significantly to his team’s success. It is worth noting that Davis achieved these numbers against a foul-prone Nurkic and Drew Eubanks, but his performance was commendable nonetheless.
5. The Player Participation Policy Faces Early Challenges
The NBA, in collaboration with the players’ union, implemented a set of guidelines to discourage load management and ensure that players participate in games, especially those broadcasted nationally. However, this policy faced scrutiny in the Sixers-Bucks game, where James Harden was unexpectedly absent due to non-injury reasons. In the Suns-Lakers matchup, the absence of Booker and Beal was classified as due to legitimate injuries. However, it is worth questioning the decision to rest these players so early in the season. The Suns gain nothing by load managing key players at this stage, and it only serves to disappoint fans who were excited to see them play. Despite their absence, the game remained entertaining and competitive.
In conclusion, LeBron James and Anthony Davis showcased their dominance in the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ victory over the Suns, spoiling Kevin Durant’s exceptional performance. Both teams face challenges early in the season, including managing minutes for star players and addressing depth issues. The NBA’s player participation policy has already faced scrutiny, but the intensity and entertainment of games like the Suns-Lakers matchup remain unaffected.
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Author Bio: Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can reach him via email, access his archive, and follow him on Twitter. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs, or Warner Bros. Discovery.
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