dailyloe.com – The Los Angeles Lakers play the Phoenix Suns on Friday, April 10, 2026. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. PT at Crypto.com Arena. It is the Lakers’ final back-to-back game of the season.
A win would greatly help the Lakers secure the No. 4 seed. The Lakers currently have a 51-29 record. The Suns hold a 44-36 record and are the No. 7 seed.
LA has lost three of four matchups against Phoenix this season. Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks have done most of the damage. The Suns lack the same urgency to win as the Lakers.
LeBron James must carry a large load if he is active. He is the team’s best available ball handler. James must score and set up teammates for good looks.
His teammates must knock down those shots. Rui Hachimura converts 43.6% of his three-point attempts. Luke Kennard is another shooter who can get hot from deep.
Kennard has shown ability to handle the ball. This is with Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves out. The Lakers need a big performance from Deandre Ayton.
Ayton is coming off a good performance against Golden State. Replicating that level of play is key. It could help the Lakers secure the fourth seed.
The Lakers need this game more than the Suns do. Playoff approaching should provide motivation. It must push them through back-to-back exhaustion.
There is no injury report for the Lakers yet. The team is on the second night of a back-to-back. Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves will remain out.
Dončić is out with a left hamstring strain. Reaves has a left oblique muscle strain. Jaxson Hayes and Marcus Smart may return.
Hayes has left foot soreness. Smart has a right ankle contusion. For the Suns, Devin Booker is managing a right ankle injury.
Haywood Highsmith’s status is also noted. Every Laker who suits up must bring their best. A winning streak requires a full team effort.[]
Source: Silver Screen and Roll
