PHOENIX — Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant each scored 23 points and the Phoenix Suns celebrated the healthy return of both players with a 127-100 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.
Devin Booker led the way with 26 points and 10 assists as the Suns ended a five-game losing streak.
Beal had missed the last five games, while Durant had missed seven in a row. Both players were sidelined with a left calf strain.
Beal made 10 of 15 shots, including 3 of 6 from the 3-point line.
The Lakers were led by Anthony Davis, who scored 25 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. LeBron James added 18 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists. Los Angeles has lost three games in a row.
The Suns outscored the Lakers 36-18 in the third quarter, turning a tight game into a 98-78 lead. Booker scored 11 points during the streak while Jusuf Nurkic scored 10.
The Lakers have been roughed up in the third quarter of the last two games; They were outscored 37-15 in the frame against the Denver Nuggets.
Takeaway meals
Lakers: Los Angeles held firm during the first half, but cooled off after the break. The Lakers made just 8 of 34 (23.5%) shots from beyond the arc. D’Angelo Russell scored 16 points and Austin Reaves had 15.
Suns: Phoenix looked more like its old self with Durant and Beal back on the court. Nurkic rebounded from a rough start to finish with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Grayson Allen added 10 points off the bench and Royce O’Neale scored nine with three 3-pointers, which came as the Suns built their lead in the second half.
Booker hit three consecutive shots during the Suns’ 14-2 run midway through the third quarter, helping push the lead to 86-72.
The Suns are 9-1 when Durant is in the lineup and 1-6 when he is not.
The Suns host the Nets on Wednesday night. The Lakers will be on the road against the Spurs on Wednesday night.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
