Lakers Critique Officiating and Highlight Defense Concerns in Loss to Suns
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a 123-113 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, with the game highlighting some concerning issues for the Lakers, both in terms of defense and officiating. The Suns’ role players stepped up and exploited the Lakers’ defensive scheme, ultimately swinging the game in their favor. While the Lakers were successful in containing Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, the Suns’ supporting cast proved to be a challenge. All five of Phoenix’s starters scored at least 18 points, nearly matching the Lakers’ feat from a previous game.
Defense has been a consistent concern for the Lakers in their recent games. Since January 23, they rank 26th in points allowed per 100 possessions, despite claiming to be a defense-first team. On the offensive end, they rank eighth in offensive rating over the same span. This imbalance has resulted in wins against weaker teams but struggles against tougher opponents. In their six losses, the Lakers have allowed 123 or more points in five of those games, showcasing their defensive deficiencies.
Part of the issue lies in personnel, with key perimeter defenders like Jarred Vanderbilt, Cam Reddish, Max Christie, and Gabe Vincent missing playing time. However, the Lakers’ strategic approach is also a factor. They often rely on traps, double-teams, and aggressive help defense to limit opponents’ leading scorers. This approach demonstrates a lack of trust in their currently healthy perimeter defenders to contain elite scorers one-on-one.
In their game against the Suns, the Lakers experienced a poor start and defensive breakdowns that have become increasingly common. The Suns’ offense proved difficult to contain, with players like Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale making significant contributions from beyond the arc. The Lakers’ defensive approach also had repercussions on the rebounding game, with wing and guard players frequently tasked with battling Suns center Jusuf Nurkić under the rim.
Furthermore, the Lakers expressed frustration with the officiating in the game. They attempted a season-low eight free throws, significantly below their average of 24.3 per game. The Lakers’ offensive strategy heavily relies on getting to the free-throw line, and the lack of calls affected their ability to execute their game plan effectively. LeBron James and Anthony Davis both felt they were fouled on multiple occasions but didn’t receive the necessary calls.
Moving forward, the Lakers must prioritize addressing their defensive issues, especially as they await the return of their best perimeter defenders. They may consider giving more playing time to players like Max Christie, who has shown promise as a plus defender. Additionally, the Lakers will need to find a balance between their defensive strategy and individual defensive matchups to avoid being exploited by opposing teams.
The Lakers have a challenging schedule ahead and need to make up ground to secure a better position in the Play-In bracket. If they can’t consistently get defensive stops against tough opponents, they will continue to face difficulties and fall short in crucial games.