Game preview: Suns battle Lakers for final preseason game

WHO: Los Angeles Lakers (1-2) vs. Phoenix Suns (3-1)

When: 7:00 p.m. Arizona time

Where: The Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ

Regard: TNT

It's the last time in at least six months that Suns fans shouldn't be angry, worried or upset about the outcome of a game. This is a good and a bad thing for the Valley fan base. Obviously, it signals that the NBA season is approaching and almost here, but also moments of high tension that send fans into a frenzy are now just around the corner.

There's no better way to spend the Suns' final 2024-25 preseason game battling the Lakeshow!

The last time these teams played, the main story wasn't the Valley's win or Oso Ighodaro's five assists in his first preseason game, but rather LeBron James and his son Bronny James sharing the court for the first time.

However, that will not be the main story of this book. In this nationally televised battle, the Valley will make its final attempt to get things done before they count and matter.

Starting lineups

Injury report

Suns

Grayson Allen – OUT (Achilles)

Josh Okogie – OUT (thigh soreness)

Lakers

Armel Traore – OUT (hand)

Jarred Vanderbilt – OUT (foot)

Christian Koloko – OUT (illness)

Christian Wood – OUT (knee)

What you should pay attention to

Can Ryan continue his great preseason shooting? Or is it Dunn with? The rookie had a 6-11 record in his last three games against the Nuggets, including trailing reigning MVP and NBA champion Nikola Jokić by three.

The rookie's three-point shot thrilled the Phoenix fan base. He has already made more three-pointers in four preseason games than he did in all of last season at Virginia. He's shutting them down at a ridiculous 44% on 6.75 attempts per game and NBA experts are already calling him a draft steal based on his shooting.

Excitement for the University of Virginia product is high in the Valley and Bright Side is overwhelmed by the enthusiasm from fans and media.

Additionally, according to Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes, Jusuf Nurkić is scheduled to make his preseason debut.

Key to a Suns win

If the Suns can sustain the three attempts, they can win the math battle against the Lakers. In their last game, the Valleys made 44.2% of their three-pointers on 52 attempts, helping them beat the Denver Nuggets.

More important than a win, can the Suns maintain the good energy and vibe they've had since the end of last season into the regular season?

Whether it's a win or a strong performance from an unlikely performer, the Suns appear to be in a good position as a team, something that seemed unimaginable to many after they were defeated by the Minnesota Timberwolves last season.

forecast

Give me the Valley to get the win over the Lakers. Don't expect the starters to play too much, but to get a few good runs together one last time before the season begins next Wednesday against the Clippers.

Suns 107, Lakers 99