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The Lakers’ Alex Caruso shoots as the Suns’ Cameron Johnson, right, defends during Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. Caruso had seven points, six rebounds and four assists in 20 minutes before leaving late with neck spasms after a hard foul. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Lakers’ LeBron James (23) shoots as the Suns’Deandre Ayton (22) defends during their NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Lakers’ Wesley Matthews (9), Damian Jones (30) and Talen Horton-Tucker (5) swarm the Suns’ Abdel Nader (11) during their NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Lakers’ Talen Horton-Tucker goes after a rebound as the Suns’ Cameron Johnson, bottom, and E’Twaun Moore (55) look on during Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Lakers’ Dennis Schroder (17) attempts to steal the ball away from the Suns’ Devin Booker (1) during their NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Lakers’ Damian Jones (30) shoots during their NBA game against the Suns at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Lakers’ Wesley Matthews (9) shoots as the Suns’ Jae Crowder (99) defends during their NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Lakers’ LeBron James (23) looks to pass as the Suns’ Jae Crowder (99) defends during their NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Lakers’ LeBron James (23) drives to the hoop as the Suns’ Dario Saric (20 defends during their NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Lakers’ LeBron James (23) shoots as the Suns’Deandre Ayton (22) defends during their NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Suns’ Devin Booker (1) lays the ball up as the Lakers’ Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (1) defends during their NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Lakers’ Dennis Schroder (17) shoots as the Suns’ Jae Crowder (99) defends during their NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Lakers’ Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (1) fouls the Suns’ Devin Booker (1) during their NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Lakers’ Dennis Schroder (17) drives to the hoop as the Suns’ Dario Saric (20 defends during their NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Lakers’ Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (1) lays the ball up during their NBA game against the Suns at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Lakers’ Talen Horton-Tucker (5) shoots as the Suns’ Abdel Nader (11) defends during their NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Lakers’ Talen Horton-Tucker (5) runs into the legs of the Suns’ Dario Saric (20 while going after a loose ball during their NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Lakers’ Markieff Morris (88) shoots as the Suns’ Chris Paul (3) defends during their NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Lakers’ LeBron James (23) reacts as the Suns’ Deandre Ayton (22) looks on during their NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Lakers’ Markieff Morris (88) grabs a rebound away from the Suns’ Devin Booker (1) during their NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Lakers’ LeBron James (23) attempts to block the shot of the Suns’ Deandre Ayton (22) during their NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Lakers’ Alex Caruso (4) lays the ball up during their NBA game against the Suns at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021. The Suns beat the Lakers 114-104. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Lakers guard Alex Caruso, right, is hit in the face by Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric as he shoots during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Lakers guard Alex Caruso lays on the floor after being hit in the face while shooting during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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The Lakers’ LeBron James (23) hits a 3-point shot during their NBA game against the Suns at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021. The Suns beat the Lakers 114-104. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Lakers’ Jared Dudley (10) shoots sa the Suns’ Abdel Nader (11) defends during their NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021. The Suns beat the Lakers 114-104. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Lakers’ Dennis Schroder (17) shoots as the Suns’ Cameron Payne (15) defends during their NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021. The Suns beat the Lakers 114-104. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Lakers’ LeBron James attempts a shot as the Suns’ Mikal Bridges defends during Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. James had 38 points, but the Suns won, 114-104. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Lakers’ LeBron James (23) attempts a shot as the Suns’ Mikal Bridges (25) defends during their NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021. The Suns beat the Lakers 114-104. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Lakers’ LeBron James (23) shoots a 3-point shot as the Suns’ Jae Crowder (99) defends during their NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021. The Suns beat the Lakers 114-104. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Lakers’ LeBron James (23) hits a 3-point shot as the Suns’ Dario Saric (20) looks on during their NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021. The Suns beat the Lakers 114-104. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Lakers’ Dennis Schroder (17) lays the ball up as the Suns’ Abdel Nader (11) defends during their NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021. The Suns beat the Lakers 114-104. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, blocks the shot of Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Los Angeles Lakers center Montrezl Harrell, center, shoots as Phoenix Suns guard E’Twaun Moore, left, and forward Dario Saric defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, right, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers center Montrezl Harrell defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, right, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, center, passes the ball as Los Angeles Lakers forward Jared Dudley, left, and guard Alex Caruso defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder, left, loses control of the ball as Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker takes it during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, is fouled in the act of shooting by Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, shoots as Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Los Angeles Lakers forward Markieff Morris, left, blocks the shot of Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder complains after being fouled during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric, right, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers forward Jared Dudley defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Phoenix Suns forward Abdel Nader, top, tries to pass while under pressure from Los Angeles Lakers guard Alex Caruso during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Wesley Matthews tries to pass the ball from the floor during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder, right, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Abdel Nader defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won 114-104. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges, right, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers center Damian Jones defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Phoenix Suns forward Abdel Nader, left, celebrates after scoring with guard Cameron Payne during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won 114-104. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges smiles after scoring and drawing a foul during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LOS ANGELES — The longer the day went on, the worse it got for the suddenly injury-plagued Lakers.
They woke up Tuesday knowing All-Star Anthony Davis wouldn’t be available. Not long after lunch, they had lost Marc Gasol. Minutes before tip-off, a bruised heel was bad enough to keep Kyle Kuzma off the court. By the game’s end, Alex Caruso was dealing with neck spasms after taking a hard foul from Dario Saric and could not return.
Now the only Laker to start all 36 games, LeBron James scored 38 of the Lakers’ points but looked dead-legged by the finish of a 114-104 loss, the Lakers’ fifth in their last seven games. He sauntered off after the buzzer, a king without his court. The lift that the Lakers got from a pair of wins on the heels of a four-game losing streak was all but gone.
“It’s definitely deflating,” said James. “Especially when you’re playing poorly, you get a good rhythm and then you’re hit with this.”
By night’s end, the Lakers had lost even James: The Athletic was first to report that the 36-year-old didn’t travel with the team to Sacramento for the final game before the All-Star break on Wednesday night. A team official confirmed that he’d receive treatment back in Los Angeles, ahead of Sunday’s All-Star Game in Atlanta that he’s made no secret that he doesn’t wish to attend.
It will be the first night he’s taken off all season — after weeks of protestations that he needs no additional rest. Already down so many players, what’s the use of risking their star against the Kings?
One of James’ last plays was to force a shot from Chris Paul, who had only eight points but 10 assists as the Suns (23-11) won for the 15th time in their last 18 games, moving past the defending champions (24-12) into second place in the Western Conference by winning percentage.
What sputtered at the end was offense. The jolt in the arm that starting point guard Dennis Schröder (17 points) provided in two wins back from quarantine faded down the stretch, as the Lakers scored just 21 points in the final frame.
The next-best scorer was Talen-Horton Tucker, who had 16 points. The Suns had five players score between 15 and 21 points, led by Saric off the bench, who feasted inside and out on the Lakers’ diminished frontcourt.
“You just have to adjust on the fly,” coach Frank Vogel said. “It’s that type of season.”
The game had the misfortune of becoming a referendum on refereeing. Three different reviews of fouls were conducted; James and Vogel were given technical fouls on the same play by official Tyler Ford. But official Justin Van Duyne stole the show in the third quarter by ejecting Suns All-Star Devin Booker (17 points) for apparently directing “profane language” toward the referees.
It was the most confusing moment of a game that oozed oddity. Markieff Morris acknowledged the officiating made the rhythm of the game choppy, but that it wasn’t to blame for the funk in which the Lakers found themselves.
“I don’t know man, you’ll go crazy trying to figure the refs out,” he said. “But they had nothing to do with us losing tonight.”
On defense, the biggest problem wasn’t guarding Phoenix’s size; The Lakers couldn’t stop the 3-pointers.
Role players including Jae Crowder, Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson started off red hot from deep. In the first half, the Suns were 10 for 17 from the perimeter — the last shot of the first a corner 3-pointer by Bridges off a running bullet pass from Booker. The Suns finished the night with 30 assists on their 38 field goals, while the Lakers had just 18 assists on their 40 field goals.
Some took it on the chin harder than others.
“Offensively I made some shots,” Morris said. “Defensively I played like (expletive). My worst defensive game in a long time.”
The Lakers started Harrell but elected to play frontcourt by platoon. Harrell started out on a rough foot on offense, struggling to find his typical shots against the expansive wingspans of Phoenix’s frontcourt. So the Lakers went to Markieff Morris (12 points), who popped jumpers, and Jared Dudley, who held his ground defensively.
Though he took the court with a sore back, 10-day contract center Damian Jones helped ground the middle against the team that cut him less than a week before. On his first sequence checking in during the second half, he supplied a blocked shot and a layup to help the Lakers take a slim lead at a time when the teams were batting it back and forth.
Ultimately, it drew attention that Harrell, the team’s third-best healthy scorer, only played 19 minutes with six points and two rebounds. He didn’t play at all in the fourth quarter.
“They play a high volume of minutes with the small second unit with Saric at the five, which we typically would go small in those situations,” Vogel said. “So it minimized our opportunities to play Trezz big minutes, or to get Jones in there big minutes. Just trying to match up with them.”
James got a number of improbable shots to fall, including a wild reverse off the glass he threw up over Booker in the second quarter that had just enough English to spin into the rim. But again, the 3-pointers did not come easy, and during an 0-for-3 start, James airballed at least one of his attempts.
He wasn’t the only starter who struggled to strike true: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope missed his first five shots of the game before finally hitting a layup in the fourth quarter.
The Lakers will get another crack at a win on Wednesday night against the lowly Kings, who are 1-9 in their last 10 games.
Well, some of the Lakers will.
Frank Vogel discusses his use of Montrezl and Damian Jones tonight with @LakersReporter. pic.twitter.com/U9UpT1Dd9a
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 3, 2021
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