Los Angeles Lakers’ D’Angelo Russell, right, takes the ball away from Phoenix Suns’ Eric Bledsoe. AP
PHOENIX – Brandon Knight had 30 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds for his first career triple-double and the Phoenix Suns ran past the Los Angeles Lakers 120-101 on Monday (Tuesday Manila time).
Eric Bledsoe added 21 points and T.J. Warren had 19 for the Suns, who gradually pulled away after taking a five-point lead into the fourth quarter.
Jordan Clarkson scored 20 points to lead the weary Lakers, who were playing on consecutive days for the second time in a week.
The Lakers were without All-Star guard Kobe Bryant, who was kept back in Los Angeles to rest rather than having to play on back-to-back nights.
Lou Williams hit a 3-pointer to pull the Lakers within 82-78 with 11:35 to go. But Knight scored on a bank shot and Archie Goodwin converted a 3-point play to start an 11-3 run capped by a pair of layups by Knight and Warren as Phoenix took a 93-81 lead with 8:42 left.
Overall, the Suns outscored the Lakers 21-8 over a span of 5:40 in the fourth quarter to open a 103-86 lead, extending the advantage to as many as 21 points in the closing minutes.