The Phoenix Suns have officially completed (and won) their first game of the 2024-2025 season.

It started off a bit choppy and slow – as expected – but once the rust wore off and the second unit found their rhythm, they pulled away. They outscored the Lakers 33-22 in the final quarter and stormed back for the victory in Mike Budenholzer’s Suns debut.

LeBron and his son Bronny shared the court and made history in a pretty cool moment.

But we’re a Suns program here, so back to what we care about: the Phoenix Suns, not the son of the Lakers. (I’ll be here all night)

Main artists

• Josh Okogie – 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists (16 minutes)
• Oso Ighodaro – 12 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 blocks (27 minutes)
• Collin Gillespie – 12 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds (12 minutes)
• LeBron James — 19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks (16 minutes)

1st half

The Suns got off to a choppy start, as you might expect in your first preseason game. The Lakers took an 11-7 lead into the first timeout. Phoenix quickly responded with six straight points to take a 13-11 lead.

Devin Booker had a decent opening quarter, scoring twelve points (3-5 on threes) in nine minutes.

The Suns’ second unit got a lead with Morris, Allen, O’Neale, Dunn and Ighodaro leading the way. Bol Bol was notably left out of this first look at the bench rotation.

The Lakers finished the quarter strong, taking a six-point lead, led by buckets from Russell and Reaves. After the first quarter, the Lakers led 34-25. It was a rough start shooting the rock as the team shook off the rust.

In the second quarter, the rust started to shake off and the Suns found their rhythm. They cut the lead to two, forcing a timeout for the Lakers.

They launched threes at a fast pace, as advertised in the preseason reading. Last season, the Suns averaged 32 three-point attempts per game. With two minutes to go in the first half they had already tried twenty.

Ryan Dunn joined in and hit a corner three!

At halftime, Phoenix trailed by twelve, 69-57.

2nd half

The second half started with Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal on the bench. On the Lakers side were LeBron and Davis.

The Suns sent out Tyus Jones, Grayson Allen, Ryan Dunn, Royce O’Neale and Mason Plumlee. The game was a bit choppy and I can confirm it was still preseason basketball.

Damion Lee looked great in his return, knocking down two of his first three shots, including this bomb from deep.

The Lakers entered the fourth quarter up 92-85.

The 4th period was filled with a lot of fast-paced rec ball style play, as we often see in the late game moments of the preseason.

We got our first look at Frank Kaminsky, Jalen Bridges and Collin Gillespie. Gillespie was cooking and scored 7 points in 5 minutes. Josh Okogie and Oso Ighodaro also looked very solid, providing meaningful minutes as they battle for roles.

The ending was a bit dramatic as the Suns stormed out to a lead, but the Lakers fought right back. In the end, the Suns bench crowd fought hard for the win, beating Los Angeles in the final moments to secure the win.

PS — I have to pat myself on the back for getting this almost to the point.

Next

Suns @ Pistons at the Breslin Center (Michigan State)

October 8 at 4:00 PM (AZ time)