Lakers vs Suns Expert Predictions Ahead of West Contender Battle

Oct 6, 2024; Palm Desert, California, USA: Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots a layup over Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the first half at Acrisure Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images | David Frerker-Imagn Images

On Sunday night at 5 p.m. PT, the 17-7 Los Angeles Lakers will square off against the 14-11 Phoenix Suns in a battle of Western Conference semi-contenders.

Both clubs are looking to avoid two-game losing streaks.

Los Angeles will be without its arguably second-best player, shooting guard Austin Reaves (a strange sentence to type). The 6-foot-5 Oklahoma product is set to miss at least the next week with a mild calf strain. Backup center Maxi Kleber is out with a lumbar muscle strain, while deep-bench second-year guard Bronny James is getting reps with the Lakers' NBAGL affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.

Phoenix, meanwhile, will be missing its own starting shooting guard, Jalen Green, due to a strained right hamstring. All-NBA guard Devin Booker and All-Defensive small forward Dillon Brooks are questionable to suit up. Booker is grappling with a strained right groin, while Brooks has a sore left Achilles.

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So can Los Angeles, which has lost three of its last five games after a red-hot start to the 2025-26 season, right the ship against a Suns club that obliterated it, 125-108, just over a week ago?

The Lakers will lean heavily on five-time All-NBA First Team superstar guard Luka Doncic, who remains one of the toughest covers in the game. As of this writing, the 26-year-old leads the league in scoring with 35.0 points on .471/.337/.804 shooting splits, plus 9.0 rebounds and 9.0 assists. The 6-foot-8 pro looks to have edged his way into the MVP race once again.

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Here are our expert predictions for Sunday's tilt.

Will JJ Redick Adjust His Rotations to Combat the Suns' Speedy Backcourt?

With or without Booker, the Suns boast a surprisingly robust backcourt.

The emergence of third-year point guard Collin Gillespie, 26, as a real piece this year has been a bit of tough solve for opposing defenses. Across his first 25 games, the 6-foot-1 Villanova product has been averaging 13.1 points on .436/.426/.867 shooting splits, 4.8 assists and 3.8 rebounds a night.

It's time for Marcus Smart and Jarred Vanderbilt to get more run. With Reaves out, Smart will likely draw the start. But Vanderbilt has been out of Redick's rotations. He's another solid perimeter defender capable of sticking with guards, and should be out there.

Can Los Angeles Avenge Its Prior Loss?

The Lakers have the talent to beat Phoenix, especially if Deandre Ayton is motivated. It all comes down to how well Los Angeles can control the Suns on the perimeter.

Lakers 115, Suns 110.

For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.