After a huge win in which they were led by franchise star Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers again found themselves losing last Monday, this time to the Phoenix Suns, 120–101.
Bryant did not play against the Suns due to the tear he went through in their 97–85 victory over the Detroit Pistons before Monday's game in Arizona.
The Lakers tried to hang in the game and kept it close, until the hosts outscored them 40–26 in the fourth quarter.
Budding guard Jordan Clarkson led the Lakers with 20 points, two rebounds, and one assist in 33 minutes played.
Reigning National Basketball Association (NBA) Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams gave Los Angeles an offensive spark off the bench contributing 16 points.
Center Roy Hibbert also provided a great performance, tallying 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and one steal.
Lakers head coach Byron Scott spoke about the loss and stated, according to the Associated Press, "I thought our guys gave an effort but I thought their (Suns) effort was 10 times better. They seemed to want it a lot more than we didn't tonight."
The struggles continue for the Lakers as they fall to the 14th spot in the Western Conference standings with a 2–9 record.
Los Angeles will continue its campaign with a two-game home stand which will start on Friday against the Toronto Raptors and on Sunday versus the Portland Trail Blazers.
Meanwhile, the Suns were led by guard Brandon Knight who recorded his first triple-double in his career in the win over the Lakers.
Knight tallied 30 points, 10 rebounds and 15 assists as well as four steals in 41 minutes of action.
The 23-year-old guard got enough help as six other teammates scored in double-digits in the win.
Phoenix improved to 6–4, good enough for the fourth spot in the West, also having the same record with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Suns will play the last game of their home stand when they take on the Chicago Bulls this Wednesday.
