Suns Beat Lakers on O'Neale Buzzer-Beater

Phoenix overcomes injuries to key players in thrilling victory

Feb. 27, 2026 at 10:24am

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A last-second 3-pointer by Royce O'Neale lifted the short-handed Phoenix Suns to a 113-110 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. The Suns overcame a blown 12-point lead and a furious Lakers comeback to secure the win, with O'Neale hitting the game-winning shot with 0.9 seconds remaining.

Why it matters

The Suns' ability to secure a win while missing key players like Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks highlights the importance of depth and adaptability in the NBA. Successfully replacing roughly 45 combined points from injured starters is a significant challenge, and the Suns' resilience in this game demonstrates their ability to overcome adversity.

The details

With the score tied at 110 and just 0.9 seconds remaining, Grayson Allen drove into the lane and found Collin Gillespie, who quickly passed to an open O'Neale for the game-winning shot. Lakers guard Austin Reaves had a chance to tie the game at the buzzer, but his 3-point attempt missed. The Suns were playing without two of their top scorers: All-Star guard Devin Booker, sidelined with a hip strain, and forward Dillon Brooks, who suffered a fractured hand.

  • The game was played on Thursday night.
  • The Suns will travel to Sacramento to play the Kings on Tuesday night.

The players

Royce O'Neale

The Suns' forward who hit the game-winning 3-pointer with 0.9 seconds remaining.

Devin Booker

The Suns' All-Star guard who was sidelined with a hip strain.

Dillon Brooks

The Suns' forward who suffered a fractured hand and was absent from the game.

Luka Dončić

The Lakers' star player who led the team with 41 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists.

LeBron James

The Lakers' veteran forward who scored a crucial tip-in with 22.7 seconds left to tie the game at 110.

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What’s next

The Lakers will next face the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night. The Suns will travel to Sacramento to play the Kings on Tuesday night. The Suns' performance in Sacramento could indicate whether they can maintain momentum without Booker and Brooks. The Lakers' game against Golden State will be a test of their ability to rebound from this close loss.

The takeaway

This game showcases the Suns' resilience and ability to overcome adversity, as they were able to secure a victory despite missing two of their top scorers. The importance of depth and adaptability in the NBA is highlighted, as the Suns demonstrated their ability to replace the significant production of their injured starters.