Lakers Edge Suns in Thrilling Finish Led by LeBron James

LeBron James gave the Los Angeles Lakers the lead on two free throws with three seconds left, then blocked Grayson Allen's potential game-winning three-pointer, leading the Lakers to a thrilling 116-114 victory over the Phoenix Suns on December 14, 2025.

Luka Doncic led all scorers with 29 points, while James added 26 points and a game-high 13 rebounds as part of a double-double. The Lakers, who had trailed 77-71, held Phoenix scoreless for over eight minutes, using a 24-0 run to establish a significant lead.

Despite the Suns retaking the lead late in the fourth quarter thanks to Dillon Brooks' three-pointer, Brooks was ejected after receiving a second technical foul for celebrating. James missed a free throw but made two crucial shots after drawing a foul on Devin Booker.

The Suns had a final chance to win, but James' game-winning block secured the victory for the Lakers. The Suns' offense struggled late in the game, missing 14 consecutive shots, while they outshot the Lakers overall and from beyond the arc.

Booker scored 27 points for the Suns, with contributions from Mark Williams and Brooks who added 20 and 18 points respectively. This game avenged the Lakers' earlier 125-108 home loss to the Suns, showcasing the importance of star players in tight games.