The Lakers did the hard work. Then they blew it. Then they nearly pulled off a miracle.
And then the final blow.
With 0.9 seconds left, Royce O’Neale drilled a corner three to give the Phoenix Suns a 113-110 win. Austin Reaves had a chance to tie it at the buzzer. It fell short.
Third straight loss for L.A. Another gut-punch finish.
Doncic monstrous, but flying solo
Luka Doncic was massive. 41 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists. 12-of-21 from the field. 6-of-11 from three. 11-of-12 from the line.
Luka Dončić 41 PTS, 8 REB, 8 AST, 2 STL, 12/21 FG, 6/11 3FG, 11/12 FT, 78% TS vs Suns https://t.co/xPY3V67j6e pic.twitter.com/P6GdsfH6vp
— Basketball Performances (@NBAPerformances) February 27, 2026
He carried the offense, dragged them out of every lull, ripped off an 11-0 after the break to seize control. He did everything.
But around him, the impact was patchy. LeBron James finished with 15 points and tied it at 110-110 with a tip-in with 22.7 seconds left. Reaves scored 14, including the three that made it 108-108 with a minute to go.
And still, it wasn’t enough.
Phoenix answers despite missing their stars
What makes the loss sting even more: Phoenix played without Devin Booker or Dillon Brooks, their top two scorers.
Still, they found answers.
Grayson Allen buried 28 points, 16 of them in a blazing third quarter. Collin Gillespie added 21, drilling four triples in the final period.
Suns guards vs Lakers:
Allen — Gillespie —
28 PTS 21 PTS
6 AST 7-13 FG
6 3P 6 3PHad more combined threes than the Lakers did as a team. pic.twitter.com/aL7wSxpK27
— Booker Muse (@DevinBookerMuse) February 27, 2026
Phoenix finished 22-of-50 from deep. 44%. Too much room. Too much freedom.
A cruel finish, but telling
Down 12 with six minutes left, the Lakers fought back. Scrapped. Tied it twice. Showed grit.
On the Suns’ final possession, Allen drove, kicked out to Gillespie, who passed straight to Royce O’Neale. All alone in the corner.
ROYCE O’NEALE HITS THE GO-AHEAD 3 TO WIN IT FOR THE SUNS 🚨
HE SCORED THE LAST 7 POINTS FOR PHOENIX! pic.twitter.com/jWFOMMXLiq
— NBA (@NBA) February 27, 2026
Nothing but net.
L.A.’s perimeter defense folded at the worst possible moment. Like it did on Tuesday against the Magic. Like it’s done far too often these past weeks.
At this point in the season, these aren’t accidents. They’re habits.
And in the West, bad habits cost you big.
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