Lakers Vs Suns: O'Neale's 0.9-Second Three Stuns Lakers in 113-110 Phoenix Thriller
This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here. In a dramatic lakers vs suns meeting in Phoenix on Feb 26, 2026, the Suns edged the Lakers 113-110 when Royce O'Neale hit a three with ninth-tenths of a second remaining and Austin Reaves missed a final attempt as time expired—another late defeat in a run of crushing finishes for Los Angeles.
Lakers Vs Suns: Final Sequence and Game-Winning Shot
The decisive possession unfolded after the Lakers tied the game twice in the final minute: Austin Reaves drained a three, and then LeBron James converted a tip-in to knot the score with 22. 7 seconds left. Phoenix ran a play that put the ball in Grayson Allen's hands; Allen blew past Luka Doncic, drove into the defense, and when Doncic and James collided and fell, Allen delivered a pass to Collin Gillespie. Gillespie swung the ball to a wide-open Royce O'Neale, whose shot settled cleanly through the net with 0. 9 seconds remaining.
Doncic's 41-Point Effort and Fourth-Quarter Rally
Luka Doncic led the Lakers' comeback, rallying the team from a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter. He hit back-to-back three-pointers during the surge and finished with 41 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Despite Doncic's performance and the late rally that produced a one-possession clutch game, the Lakers were unable to complete the comeback.
Lakers' Close Losses Mounting
The defeat extended a painful trend: the Lakers have lost their last two games in the final second and have now dropped three consecutive games for the third time this season. Earlier in the week they were blown out by the Boston Celtics on Sunday and then lost by one at home to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, a game in which Doncic passed up a three and threw the ball to LeBron James, who missed a hurried, last-second three. Coach JJ Redick reflected on the team's recent endings, saying their losses feel louder because of the franchise and lamenting that this was another one-possession clutch game the Lakers could not close.
What Happened on the Final Play and Reaves' Reaction
On the Lakers' last possession, Marcus Smart inbounded and LeBron James alongside Maxi Kleber set a double screen to free Austin Reaves. Reaves floated to the corner, received a cross-court pass and launched a three that bounced off the rim. Reaves, who shot five-for-12 for the game and two-for-five from three-point range, summarized the miss simply: "Just missed. " After the game he described the team's level of frustration as "Very high. "
Suns' Shooting, Injuries and Supporting Performances
The Suns, described as injury-depleted, made 22 of 50 three-pointers in the game. They earned the victory despite missing All-Star guard Devin Booker (right hip strain), Dillon Brooks (left hand fracture) and Jordan Goodwin (left calf strain). Bench scorer Grayson Allen finished with 28 points and six assists, while Collin Gillespie contributed 21 points as Phoenix improved to 34-26. The Suns' prolific long-range shooting was a central factor in the outcome.
Takeaways: Clutch Record, Team Records and Unanswered Questions
The Lakers, listed at 34-24, have struggled in late-game execution despite being an NBA-best 16-5 in clutch situations earlier in the season. JJ Redick noted that a lack of rotation on the final defensive possession left O'Neale with a clean look and that the team has been great in clutch play for the most part this year but has faltered in several recent endings. Doncic observed the Suns' heavy reliance on threes—"They shot 50 threes, you know? So, obviously they made a lot"—and pointed to stretches when the Lakers were not as physical as needed.
Also present in the postgame material was a remark from the two-time national college coach of the year and 2019 NCAA champion, who said that to help "the Lakers in any way I can is exciting. "
The loss in Phoenix leaves the Lakers grappling with mounting frustration and narrow margins that have gone against them in consecutive final seconds. Details about subsequent adjustments and how the team responds in upcoming games are unclear in the provided context.
