An unexpected collapse in the midst of Luka Doncic protagonism
The Lakers arrived motivated after their victory over the Pelicans, hoping to extend their eight-game winning streak.
However, the clash with Phoenix exposed deep cracks. Although Luka Doncic was the only player on the team to surpass the 20-point mark, the rest of the roster failed to keep up offensively.
Austin Reaves contributed 16 points, and LeBron James, returning after missing the previous game, struggled to find rhythm and finished with only 10 points.
Luka Doncic on the Lakers’ turnovers:
“That was my fault. I shouldn’t have nine turnovers in a game.”
He also gave credit to Phoenix for their defense that had him and the Lakers “confused.”
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) December 2, 2025
Beyond the lack of collective production, the real problem came in the form of turnovers: 21 in total, converted into 32 points for the Suns.
And that’s where Luka Doncic took the lead. With nine turnovers of his own, he publicly accepted responsibility, noting that he cannot allow mistakes of that magnitude in key games.
His phrase —“It was my fault”— became the strongest statement of the night and added an air of intrigue to the team’s current situation.
The Suns’ defense and the immediate challenge for the Lakers
Phoenix applied defensive pressure that disrupted the Lakers from the opening quarter. With 16 steals and standout efforts from Jamaree Bouyea and Jordan Goodwin, they forced Los Angeles into an uncomfortable and erratic game.
Even Luka Doncic acknowledged the opponents’ intensity as a decisive factor in how the matchup unfolded.
