On Thursday, the Los Angeles Lakers head to Phoenix for a Western Conference showdown with the Suns. These teams are in sixth and seventh place in the Western Conference standings, making this game a huge contest in the hunt for the top six, as both teams look to avoid the play-in tournament. Before tip-off from The Valley, continue reading to find my Lakers vs Suns prediction right here.
Date & Time: Thursday, February 26, 2026, 9:00 PM ET
Venue: Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, Arizona
Broadcast: NBA League Pass
Key Storylines
The Suns will be severely undermanned with several players (Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, Jordan Goodwin, Haywood Highsmith, and Cole Anthony) all sidelined for this matchup, leaving Phoenix’s rotation extremely thin.
The Lakers have the league’s best scorer this season in Luka Doncic, who has posted MVP-caliber numbers and continues to carry the Lakers offensively. And the Lakers are mostly healthy going into this game, with Rui Hachimura and Jaxson Hayes both questionable, but no other absences confirmed.
This is a huge game for playoff positioning in the Western Conference and it will be interesting to see how both teams come out with that in mind.
Key Players
Phoenix Suns
Grayson Allen: Now one of the primary scoring options with Booker out, Allen averages 17.2 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game as a reliable contributor.
Collin Gillespie: Averaging 13.4 points and nearly 5 assists per game, Gillespie provides additional playmaking and can help keep Phoenix's offensive possessions alive.
Mark Williams: The Suns’ interior presence, Williams averages roughly 11.7 points and 8.0 rebounds per outing, which will be key on the boards and in creating second-chance points.
Los Angeles Lakers
Luka Doncic: The Lakers’ centerpiece, Doncic averages an incredible 32.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.6 assists per night, making him the engine of Los Angeles’ offense.
LeBron James: Offering veteran leadership and consistent production, James gives around 21.7 points, 7.0 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per contest, continuing to cheat Father Time.
Deandre Ayton: As a big presence on both ends, Ayton contributes 13.2 points and 8.5 rebounds while anchoring the paint for the Lakers.
Austin Reaves: A key secondary scorer at about 25.0 points per game, Reaves helps with both scoring and ball movement as a versatile wing.
Stat Comparison
Stat
Los Angeles Lakers
Phoenix Suns
Points per game
115.6
112.1
Points allowed per game
115.9
111.4
Team Field Goal %
50%
45%
Rebounds Per Game
40.9
43.3
Assists Per Game
25.3
24.6
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
The Lakers hold a 2-1 lead in the season series with the Suns this year.
Home teams are 2-1 in the games between these teams this year.
This is the final regular-season meeting between these franchises this season.
Lakers vs Suns Model Projection
Score Projection: Los Angeles Lakers 118 – Phoenix Suns 110 ATS PRO
Win Probability: Los Angeles Lakers 67%, Phoenix Suns 33% ATS PRO
Final Thoughts
With Phoenix shorthanded and Los Angeles clicking with their top talents available, the Lakers hold a clear advantage in this contest. The combination of offensive firepower, efficient shooting, and depth should allow Los Angeles to cover the spread as favorites in Phoenix on Thursday night. I'll lay the points with the Lakers, as they should bounce back nicely from their late-game meltdown against the Magic last time out.
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