On Thursday night, in their home opener, the Los Angeles Lakers welcomed the Phoenix Suns in quest of their first victory of the young season.

Although it was the inaugural time that LeBron James and Kevin Durant played a game together that held significance, the Suns were without their other two star players, Bradley Beal and Devin Booker. By virtue of this, the Lakers achieved their initial triumph by defeating the Suns 100-95.

Two baskets from D’Angelo Russell and a three-point play from Anthony Davis propelled the Lakers to an early 7-0 lead before Josh Okogie scored the Suns’ first point with a three-pointer.

As has become customary, the Lakers labored early on defense, and the Suns gained their first lead of the game (17-16) with a handful of three-pointers during that period.

The Lakers’ defense continued to struggle despite a timeout, Phoenix extending its lead by double digits to 30-18 entering the second quarter.

The Lakers began the second period with some increased vigor, going on a 6-0 run preceding Eric Gordon’s three-point conversion.

The Suns labored as expected without Durant on the court, and the Lakers retook the lead on a dunk by James following a triple by Davis and a nice feed from James that originated from Gabe Vincent.

However, LeBron James was substituted for Kevin Durant, which prompted a Phoenix mini-run and another lead change. Despite James’ late-half three-pointer, the Lakers trailed 52-48 at halftime due to Durant’s emergence from midrange.

Early in the third quarter, Lakers guards Austin Reaves and Davis got going after relatively subdued first halves; however, the Suns responded with timely three-pointers.

The Lakers labored offensively throughout the quarter and had no response for Durant on the other end of the court. As Durant made a buzzer-beating jump shot, the Lakers entered the fourth and final quarter trailing 84-72.

As Kevin Durant entered the fourth quarter substituting for Tony Parker, the Lakers needed to make another run to reclaim the lead. They accomplished this with six consecutive points, compelling the Suns to call a fast timeout. The deficit was reduced to 10 before Durant returned and capped the run with a massive triple.

The Lakers continued to claw their way back, but their inability to make goals proved detrimental; the Suns’ shot-making was similarly subpar. Davis consolidated a three-point attempt in the paint with four minutes remaining, tying the score at 87.

James then launched into attack mode with four consecutive points to restore Los Angeles’ advantage, but Durant answered with four more straight points, ensuring the lead was short-lived.

James scored consecutive baskets in the closing minutes to give the Lakers a 95-91 advantage. Considering the Suns’ offensive woes, that was sufficient to seal the deal.