PHOENIX –– Devin Booker scored 26 points and had 10 assists to lead the Phoenix Suns (10-7) to a 127-100 NBA Cup victory over the Los Angeles Lakers (10-7) Tuesday before 17,071 at the Footprint Center. The Lakers' three-game losing streak is their first of the season, while Phoenix snapped a five-game losing streak.
Phoenix handed the Lakers their first NBA Cup loss.
Calf strains previously sidelined Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. They each scored 23 points in their return. Beal missed five games, while Durant missed seven.
Phoenix took a 62-60 lead into the half. The game turned in the third quarter, when Phoenix went on a 14-2 run and outscored Los Angeles 36-18.
The Suns shot 40.5 percent from three (17 of 42), with Beal shooting 50 percent from deep (three of six). Los Angeles struggled from deep, making eight of 34 on the night.
Phoenix frequently outpaced the Lakers, outscoring them 19 to five in fast break points, and conceded 19 points to Phoenix off turnovers, while the Suns only yielded four points.
Jusuf Nurkic notched a double-double for Phoenix, scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 25 points and 15 rebounds. Lebron James added 18 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.
Up Next:
Phoenix will host Brooklyn on Wednesday night.
On Wednesday, the Lakers travel to San Antonio.