PHOENIX – Royce O’Neale delivered a clutch, game-winning three-pointer with 0.9 seconds remaining, lifting the Phoenix Suns to a 113-110 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. The win, secured despite the continued absence of key players Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks, snaps a two-game losing streak for Phoenix and pulls them within one game of the Lakers in the Western Conference playoff picture.
The Suns started strong, racing to a 9-0 lead fueled by efficient ball movement. O’Neale opened the scoring with a three-pointer, and Phoenix quickly established an eight-point advantage (17-9). Yet, the Lakers responded with a 14-0 run, led by a dominant first quarter from Luka Dončić, who scored 12 points during the stretch. Los Angeles closed the period leading 27-22.
Grayson Allen ignited the second quarter with a three-pointer, sparking a 10-2 run for the Suns to regain the lead. Allen and Collin Gillespie orchestrated the offense, while the Phoenix bench contributed 10 points. The Lakers finished the half strongly with an 8-0 run, but Allen tied the score with a layup just before halftime: 49-49.
Coming out of the break, the Lakers seized momentum with an 11-0 run, taking a 60-49 lead, highlighted by an alley-oop finished by Deandre Ayton. However, the game quickly morphed into a back-and-forth affair, with Grayson Allen catching fire. Allen scored 16 points in the third quarter, including four three-pointers. The Suns answered with a 10-0 run of their own in under two minutes, tying the game at 80-80 heading into the final quarter.
Deja Vu: Another Close Finish for the Lakers
Phoenix extended its momentum into the fourth quarter, opening with a 15-5 run to build a 12-point lead with six minutes remaining. But the Lakers, led by Dončić, refused to yield. Dončić (41 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists) relentlessly attacked the basket, and Austin Reaves tied the game at 108-108 with one minute left to play. O’Neale then put the Suns ahead (110-108) after securing an offensive rebound.
LeBron James answered with a layup at the 22.7-second mark, tying the score once again at 110-110. The scenario mirrored a recent loss for the Lakers against the Orlando Magic, where a late-game shot cost them the victory. This time, the outcome would be different. Allen drove to the basket, kicked the ball out to Gillespie in the corner, who immediately passed it to a wide-open O’Neale behind the arc. In a raucous atmosphere, O’Neale drilled the game-winner with 0.9 seconds on the clock.
Austin Reaves had a look at a game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer, but his shot missed the mark, sealing the victory for Phoenix.
SWISH. pic.twitter.com/4omLnGizAy
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) February 27, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Playoff Positioning: The Suns’ win significantly impacts the Western Conference playoff race, moving them to within one game of the Lakers.
- Shooting Prowess: Phoenix’s strong three-point shooting (22 of 50 from beyond the arc, including O’Neale’s game-winner) proved crucial.
- Resilience Without Booker & Brooks: The Suns demonstrated their ability to compete and win even without two key contributors in Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks.
The Suns will enjoy a respite before their next game, which is scheduled for Tuesday against the Sacramento Kings. This victory over the Lakers will undoubtedly provide a significant morale boost heading into that matchup.
Devin Booker remains sidelined with a hip strain, missing his third consecutive game. The team announced on February 21st that Booker is expected to miss at least one week, potentially jeopardizing his eligibility for end-of-season awards as he nears the 65-game threshold. Dillon Brooks is also out for several weeks with a broken hand, further depleting the Suns’ roster. Without Booker, Phoenix is averaging just 103.2 points per game, a noticeable drop from their season average.
The Lakers, despite the loss, have largely gotten healthy, but struggled to close out the game against a determined Suns team. The absence of the usual rivalry intensity between Dillon Brooks and LeBron James was also noted as a factor in the game’s dynamic.
The Suns’ next confirmed game is against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday, March 2nd. Fans can follow updates and analysis on the team’s official website and social media channels.
