Ayton, Booker lead Suns past Lakers
LOS ANGELES — Devin Booker continued to distance himself from a hamstring injury that cost him seven games, scoring 24 points with nine rebounds and seven assists as the Phoenix Suns earned a 108-90 victory Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Booker played 32 minutes and went 8 of 16 from the field one game after he was on the court for 26 minutes in his return Sunday during a blowout victory over the Charlotte Hornets.
Deandre Ayton had 19 points and 11 rebounds, and Mikal Bridges scored 14 as the Suns won their fourth consecutive game and improved to
2-2 on the road since the end of their 18-game winning streak Dec. 3.
Lebron James scored 34 points for the Lakers, who lost their third consecutive game as coach Frank
Vogel remained in health and safety protocols for the second straight. Four Lakers players also are in protocols, including starting guard Avery Bradley.
James injured his left ankle with
Phoenix center Deandre Ayton has his shot blocked by Lakers forward Lebron James during first half of the Suns’ 108-90 victory.
6:05 remaining in the third quarter when he came down on the right foot of the Suns’ Jae Crowder. He remained in the game but looked hobbled the rest of the way.
Russell Westbrook had 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, who were without star Anthony Davis for the second consecutive game.
■ Heat 125, Pacers 96: At Miami, Tyler Herro scored 26 points in his return from a three-game absence with a bruised thigh for Miami, which tied a franchise record with 22 made 3-pointers. Indiana lost Malcolm Brogdon in the first half with more soreness in his right Achilles.
■ Mavericks 114, Timberwolves 102: At Dallas, Jalen Brunson scored 26 points to lead Dallas. Dorian Finney-smith had just four at halftime, but added 15 in the second half, including two 3-pointers in a 10-0 run in the fourth quarter that wiped out Minnesota’s last lead in the game.
■ Pelicans 111, Trail Blazers 97: At New Orleans, Brandon Ingram had 28 points, and Nickeil Alexander-walker scored 22 of his 27 in the second half for New Orleans, which earned its first three-game winning streak of the season. Damian Lillard scored 39 for Portland.
■ Knicks 105, Pistons 91: At New York, Evan Fournier scored 22 points, Julius Randle and Kemba Walker each had 21 for New York, which won at home for the first time in almost a month. Detroit has dropped eight straight on the road.