Lakers Vs Suns: Suns 113-110; lakers vs suns last-second loss in Phoenix
This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here. The lakers vs suns meeting in Phoenix ended 113-110 on Feb 26, 2026, when Royce O’Neale hit a three with ninth-tenths of a second left, handing the Lakers another heartbreaking loss.
Lakers’ recent collapse and record
The losses are mounting for the Lakers. They’ve lost their last two games in the final second, and the club has now lost three consecutive games for the third time this season. The Lakers entered the Phoenix game at 34-24 and had been an NBA-best 16-5 in clutch situations for most of the year, but that track record has not stopped the recent string of defeats.
Fourth-quarter rally and Doncic’s night
Against the Suns, the Lakers rallied from 12 points down in the fourth quarter after Luka Doncic “went to work. ” Doncic hit back-to-back threes during the comeback and finished with 41 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. He also commented on Phoenix’s volume from deep: “They shot 50 threes, you know? So, obviously they made a lot, ” Doncic said. “So they were just moving around. I think a couple stretches we did a pretty good job being physical, but then just a couple stretches of not being physical and they just were [taking over]. ”
Lakers Vs Suns final sequence
The Lakers tied the score twice in the final minute. Austin Reaves hit a three to even it, and LeBron James tied it again with a tip-in with 22. 7 seconds left; James finished with 15 points, six rebounds and five assists. Phoenix then put the ball into Grayson Allen’s hands. Allen blew past Doncic and breached the Lakers’ defense; Doncic and James collided and fell, allowing Allen to whip a pass to Collin Gillespie, who swung it to a wide-open Royce O’Neale. O’Neale’s winning shot settled into the net cleanly with ninth-tenths of a second remaining.
Final play explained and reactions
On the play immediately after, Marcus Smart inbounded and James and Maxi Kleber set a double-screen to free Reaves. Reaves floated to the corner, took a cross-court pass and his shot bounced off the rim as time expired. “Just missed, ” Reaves said. He was five-for-12 shooting from the field and two for five from three-point range. After the result, Reaves called the team’s level of frustration “Very high. ”
Key Phoenix contributors and injuries
The injury-depleted Suns improved to 34-26. Grayson Allen finished with 28 points and six assists off the bench, and Collin Gillespie had 21 points. Phoenix made 22 of 50 three-point attempts despite missing several rotation players: All-Star guard Devin Booker (right hip strain), Dillon Brooks (left hand fracture) and Jordan Goodwin (left calf strain).
Coaching comments and broader context
Coach JJ Redick reflected on the nature of the losses: “Our losses are louder than other teams’ because we’re the Lakers and because of the way we lose, ” Redick said. “Tonight was a one-possession clutch game, which, now we’ve lost a few of those. But we’ve been great for the most part in the clutch all year. ” On the defensive breakdown on the final shot he added, “There was no one to rotate, essentially. So, got a clean look and he made it. ”
The Lakers had arrived at Phoenix after a blown-out loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday and a one-point home loss to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, when Luka Doncic passed up a three and threw the ball to LeBron James, who missed a hurried, last-second three. The context also notes that “The two-time national college coach of the year and 2019 NCAA champion said to help ‘the Lakers in any way I can is exciting. ’”
The Suns’ 113-110 victory on Feb 26, 2026 leaves a sting for the Lakers as they try to stop the string of tight defeats and regroup for upcoming games.
