The Phoenix Suns hammered the Los Angeles Lakers 132-108 on Tuesday night in Phoenix, and they did it with pace, purpose, and a monster third quarter that turned a close game into a runaway. Dillon Brooks scored 25 points to set the tone, Devin Booker ran the show with 21 and 11 assists, and the Suns’ starting five all reached double figures. By the time the fourth quarter began, the outcome felt decided.

Third-quarter surge buries the Lakers

The game was still within reach at halftime, with the Suns up 67-57 after a steady first half (29-26 in the first, 38-31 in the second). Then came the avalanche. Phoenix exploded for 45 points in the third, shooting 16-of-22 in the period (72.7%). The lead jumped to 99-72 midway through the quarter and sat at 112-86 after three. That burst was the defining run of the night.

This is what a connected offense looks like. The ball moved, the cuts were sharp, and the Lakers’ defense simply could not keep up with the tempo. Every trip down, the Suns found a good shot. Often, they found a great one.

“That third quarter was a clinic — pace, space, and no mercy.”

Dillon Brooks sets the tone with 25

Brooks brought the edge early and kept it rolling, finishing with 25 on 10-of-15 shooting and 3-of-6 from deep. He punched the gap wide open in the third with 12 points in the frame. When Phoenix needed a bucket to kill a run, he delivered. When they needed energy, he provided it.

Brooks came in averaging 21.7 points, a career high. Performances like this show why. His shot selection was clean, his feet were set on catch-and-shoot looks, and he mixed in strong drives. The Lakers never solved his rhythm.

“Brooks looks like a perfect pressure valve next to Booker — tough shots, big moments.”

Devin Booker controls the game with scoring and 11 dimes

Booker did not need to force the scoring because he owned the tempo. He scored 21 points and handed out 11 assists, with 13 by halftime to keep Phoenix steady while the game still had swing. He found shooters early, bigs in the pocket, and cutters in stride. It was a calm, expert night from a star guard who reads the floor as well as anyone.

When the Suns put the Lakers in rotation, Booker kept leaning on the pass. That trust fed the third-quarter run, where nearly every touch led to a quality look.

Balance behind the stars: starters all in double figures

Phoenix’s balance was a problem the Lakers never solved. Mark Williams chipped in 18 points and 9 rebounds, winning the glass in key moments. Collin Gillespie added 16, giving the second unit a burst and keeping the scoreboard moving when the starters sat. With every starter in double figures, the Suns were never leaning on just one option. It was pressure from all angles.

That depth matters on nights when a game turns on rhythm. One or two hot hands can swing a quarter; a whole lineup in rhythm can end the game.

“When five starters eat, the defense starves. That’s what it felt like for L.A.”

Lakers’ view: LeBron’s fast start fades, Reaves returns

LeBron James came out strong with 18 in the first half and finished with 23, but the Lakers could not match Phoenix once the pace spiked. Austin Reaves, back after missing three games with a left calf strain, gave L.A. a lift with 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting. There were bright spots in the first two quarters. There just weren’t enough stops when the flood came after halftime.

Context matters here too: the Lakers played without Luka Doncic due to a lower leg contusion. Still, no matter the lineup, allowing 45 points in a quarter and 58.8% shooting overall will lose you most nights on the road.

By the numbers: efficiency tells the story

• Suns shot 50-of-85 from the field (58.8%) and 14-of-34 from three.
• Phoenix went 18-of-20 at the line, closing possessions and avoiding empty trips.
• Third quarter: 45 points on 16-of-22 shooting, a ruthless 20 minutes that swung the game.
• Quarter-by-quarter: Suns led 29-26 after one, 67-57 at half, and 112-86 after three.
• All five Phoenix starters in double figures — consistent pressure across the floor.

Stack those metrics together and the picture is clear: Phoenix found clean looks and knocked them down. When an offense is that efficient, every defensive mistake gets punished.

Why this win matters for Phoenix

The Suns have now taken two of three from the Lakers this season and two of their last three games overall. The trend line is good. Brooks is scoring at a career-best pace, Booker is blending scoring with playmaking, and the supporting cast is finding ways to add value. That is the kind of balance that holds up as the games get tighter later in the year.

Wins like this also build belief in the style. Push pace, trust the pass, and shoot without hesitation when the ball swings. It’s simple basketball, but simple is hard to guard when the execution is this sharp.

What’s next on the schedule

The Lakers return home to host Houston on Thursday, a chance to reset quickly. The Suns head to New Orleans on Friday, where they’ll try to carry this rhythm on the road. If they bring this kind of shotmaking and ball movement, they’ll be a tough out for anyone.

Final word

This was a statement by Phoenix. A 10-point halftime lead ballooned to 27 in the third on the strength of crisp offense and strong shot-making. Brooks led with 25, Booker steered with 21 and 11, and the Suns’ balance overwhelmed a Lakers team that could not plug the leaks. The scoreboard — 132-108 — felt like the right summary of a night when Phoenix played to its identity and never looked back.