The Daily Star Ireland
The Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers are set to square off on October 14, 2025 in an NBA preseason contest at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona, tipping off at 7:00 pm local time. For both squads, this game is more than a tune-up — it’s an opportunity to iron out rotations, test new lineups, and show early signs of identity before the regular season begins. The storied Lakers–Suns rivalry adds extra intrigue: can Phoenix protect home turf, or will L.A. sneak one on the road?
Phoenix Suns Preview
Coaching & Philosophy
The Suns, under their coaching regime, emphasize a blend of star-driven creation and off-ball movement. They aim to balance high-usage play from their stars with secondary scoring, solid spacing, and defensive intensity. This preseason stretch is critical for them to settle chemistry, particularly in lineups incorporating new or role players.
Tactical Breakdown
- Offense: Expect Phoenix to run pick-and-rolls and dribble hand-offs frequently, with the stars probing and the wings cutting aggressively. Spacing is pivotal — if shooters knock down shots, it opens driving lanes and kick-outs. They may also use staggered screens, off-ball sets, and re-screen actions to create chaos in the opposing defense.
- Defense: The Suns will likely mix man-to-man with switch elements. Help defense and rotation will be essential, especially against L.A.’s attacking guards. They’ll want to contest drives and force contested jumpers. On pick-and-rolls, switching or hedging may be preferred depending on matchups.
- Rotation & Roles: The core starters will get solid minutes to build cohesion. The bench carries weight — role players, two-way options, and young wings will fight for consistency. In late-game stretches, expect the team to rely on the most dependable two-way pieces.
- Adjustments & Closers: Phoenix will monitor who responds to pressure and likely reward those who defend, move without the ball, and make smart reads late. Timeout usage may be leveraged to reset defensive assignments or subtly tweak matchups.
Injuries & Selection Considerations
- Jalen Green is flagged as questionable, while Mark Williams is sidelined.
- Lineups may see tweaks depending on Green’s status and how health is managed late in preseason.
- Monitoring fatigue matters — some veterans may be eased in.
Strengths & Weaknesses
- Strengths: Star firepower, ability to generate offense via movement and creation, and defensive versatility if rotations are clean.
- Weaknesses: If spacing fails (due to injuries or cold shooting), drives get clogged; potential mismatches in size deep in the rotation; occasional breakdowns in transition defense.
Los Angeles Lakers Preview
Coaching & Philosophy
Under new direction, the Lakers seek to build a more modern, positionally fluid system. There’s an emphasis on spacing, defensive assignments, and creating matchups. The preseason is their laboratory for understanding which lineups work without leaning heavily on aging veterans.
Tactical Breakdown
- Offense: With new additions, expect pick-and-rolls (especially with Deandre Ayton), flare actions, and guard-initiated offense. The ball may move more than in past seasons, looking to distribute creation.
- Defense: The Lakers will deploy man defense with occasional switching. Without a dominant rim protector in every lineup, rotations and help-side defense become critical. They’ll try to force contested shots off the catch rather than letting dribble penetration run.
- Rotation & Roles: With several rotation players unavailable, this gives bench and fringe guys chances to make an impression. The starters will log minutes, but the depth chart will be under scrutiny.
- Closing units: Coaches tend to lean on defenders, adaptable wings, and trustworthy shooters in closing stretches.
Injuries & Selection Considerations
- The Lakers will be without Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, and Jaxson Hayes.
- LeBron James is out with sciatica and likely misses the early part of the season.
- Austin Reaves recently exited a prior game, though he has indicated he is okay.
- These absences stretch their rotation, possibly forcing unconventional lineups or overuse of certain players.
Strengths & Weaknesses
- Strengths: Potential upside from new lineups and fresh roles, interior presence when healthy, defensive effort from committed bigs.
- Weaknesses: Thin depth on forward spots, lack of veteran continuity, vulnerability if the opponent forces turnovers, and risk of fatigue or mismatch exposure late.
Journey So Far & Rivalry
The Lakers–Suns rivalry runs deep in NBA lore, with L.A. boasting the edge historically. The rivalry has seen intense postseason and regular-season battles. In the most recent seasons, both teams have traded wins in high-stakes matchups. The preseason game offers a preview of how each team might approach the regular campaign, and fans will be watching for early signs of synergy.
Phoenix enters this matchup having leveraged recent games to calibrate rotations and test tempo. Already, they have defeated L.A. once earlier in preseason (103–81), with strong performances from their scorers and rotations. L.A. has had a tougher time adjusting, especially with key absences, but this is their chance to make a statement on the road.
Recent Form & Trends
- Phoenix: 2–1 in preseason so far. Their earlier win over the Lakers was comprehensive, with solid balance across the roster.
- L.A.: 1–2 in preseason, handicapped by absences and ongoing lineup experiments.
- Trend Narrative: The Suns look sharper and more cohesive early; the Lakers are still searching, especially in their rotation construction.
Key Players to Watch
Phoenix
- Devin Booker / Star Creator — tasked with creating offense and balancing usage with the supporting cast.
- Supporting wings / shooters — their success helps open up lanes, relieve pressure, and punish defensive rotations.
- Defensive wings / rotation guys — those who can guard multiple spots and survive switching will be vital.
L.A.
- Deandre Ayton — his rim presence and ability to anchor interior defense could mitigate some weaknesses.
- New or bench wings / forwards — they must step up in the absence of core rotation players.
- Guard creators — handling pressure, reducing turnovers, and creating for others will be a litmus test.
What to Watch Live
- Who controls tempo — will Phoenix push or slow the game?
- Midgame defensive adjustments, especially in switch or help schemes.
- Matchups: Phoenix’s movement vs L.A.’s ability to defend off-ball.
- Bench production — which second units stay disciplined and which break down.
- Foul trouble among bigs — early fouls may force undesirable rotations.
- Closing lineups — trust will be earned through performance, especially in pressure minutes.
Where to Watch Live
This game is part of the NBA preseason and should be available via NBA League Pass (domestic and international). Local Phoenix and Lakers regional sports networks may carry coverage. Tip-off: 7:00 pm (Arizona local time). Replays, highlights, and condensed games will be accessible on league and team digital platforms.
Betting Insight
- Phoenix is likely favorite, especially at home.
- The total points market (over/under) could draw interest if placed reasonably — both teams may experiment with pace and offense.
- Player props: Booker’s point totals, Ayton rebounds/blocks, and role players hitting value props are worth watching.
- Angle: With L.A.’s thin rotation and key injuries, Phoenix’s depth may assert control late and limit break opportunities.
- Betting verdict: Phoenix to win and cover modestly; lean over if the total is not overextended.
Prediction
I expect Phoenix to win 117–105. The X-factor will be rotational depth and consistency — Phoenix’s ability to balance star usage with role player contributions gives them an edge over a stretched Lakers lineup. This Phoenix vs Lakers prediction points to a confident home victory, with Phoenix asserting control through fluid offense and steady defense.
