NBA: Chris Paul, Suns rout depleted Lakers
Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns attempts a shot past Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on December 19, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 130-104. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP
In a game void of massive amounts of star power, Chris Paul scored 28 points and dished out eight assists Monday as the Phoenix Suns cruised to a 130-104 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Lakers.
Deandre Ayton had 21 points and 11 rebounds and Mikal Bridges added 20 points as the Suns won without All-Star guard Devin Booker, who was sidelined due to a groin injury one game after he scored 58 points against the New Orleans Pelicans.
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 20, 2022
The Suns also were without Cameron Payne for a third consecutive game because of a right foot sprain. Ayton was back after missing two games with a left ankle sprain.
Dennis Schroder scored a season-high 30 points for the Lakers, who were playing without LeBron James (left ankle soreness) and Anthony Davis (right foot soreness). Los Angeles also was without Russell Westbrook (left foot soreness) and Austin Reaves (right ankle sprain).
Davis is out at least two weeks.
The Suns had a much easier time overcoming all the personnel issues, taking a 38-24 lead after one quarter and going up 68-44 at halftime after shooting 50 percent (23 of 46) from the field before the break.
Phoenix led 99-77 after three quarters as all five starters had reached double digits in scoring.
For the game, Torrey Craig scored 17 points for the Suns, Damion Lee had 15 and Landry Shamet added 13. Kendrick Nunn had 17 points for the Lakers, while Lonnie Walker IV and Thomas Bryant each added 16.
The Suns sank 49.5 percent from the field while winning their third consecutive game following a five-game losing streak. Phoenix had a 51-38 rebounding advantage.
The Lakers shot 44.8 percent from the field and lost for the fourth time in their last five road games.
Scotty Pippen Jr., who was just named G League Player of the Week, had four points in 15 minutes in his first game with the Lakers since Nov. 7 and his third career NBA game. He is the son of Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen.
