Here are the scores, updates, and results of the NBA 2020-2021 Playoffs in the first round between the Phoenix Suns (PHX) against the Los Angeles Lakers (LAL) on May 24, 2021 (All times are in Philippine Standard Time) at the Talking Stick Resort Arena.
The Phoenix Suns take the driver’s seat in game 1 of the first round against the Los Angeles Lakers with a final score of 99-90.
Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton led the team with 55 combined points. Booker tallied 34 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds after playing for 45 big minutes in his playoffs debut while Ayton finished with a stellar double-double, scoring 21 points while grabbing 16 big rebounds. Not only that, but the big man also hit 10 out of his 11 looks from the floor, finishing the game with extreme efficiency.
“The intensity’s different, the physicality is different,” Booker said. “And it’s only one game.”
In the fourth quarter, the key players of the Suns had some problems. Chris Paul, the veteran point guard, was suffering in pain because of his shoulder while Cameron Payne got ejected because of a scuffle against Caruso and Harrell.
Meanwhile, LeBron James guided the Lakers with 18 points, ten assists, and seven rebounds. Anthony Davis added 13 points and seven rebounds but did not contribute well as he only hit 5 out of his 16 attempts from the field, 2 from outside the three-point arc where he converted none.
“I missed a ton of shots. We missed a ton of shots as a team,” Davis said. “There is no way we are winning a game, let alone a series with the way I played. This is on me.”
The Suns lead 1-0 against the Los Angeles Lakers. The series will resume on Wednesday at 10:00 AM for Game 2 of the first round of the NBA playoffs.
Suns vs Lakers
25-32; 20-21; 23-28; 22-18
The scores:
Suns (99) – Booker 34, Ayton 21, Bridges 10, Johnson 10, Crowder 8
Lakers (90) – James 18, Schroder 14, Davis 13, Drummond 12, Harrell 12