Royce O’Neale’s Clutch Three Seals Suns’ 113-110 Victory Over Lakers

Key Takeaways:

• Royce O’Neale hit a decisive 3-pointer with 0.9 seconds remaining to secure the Suns’ 113-110 victory over the Lakers
• Phoenix, playing without Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks, achieved their first 100-point regulation game across the past five fixtures
• Grayson Allen led the Suns with 28 points, while Collin Gillespie added 21 points, including four fourth-quarter triples

Late Game Heroics Propel Phoenix

The Phoenix Suns edged past the Los Angeles Lakers 113-110 in a dramatic encounter on Thursday, thanks to a last-gasp three-pointer from Royce O’Neale with only 0.9 seconds left on the clock. Despite having a depleted squad, Phoenix fought off a late Lakers surge after earlier surrendering a 12-point advantage in the closing minutes.

On the pivotal Suns’ possession, Grayson Allen drove into the lane, dished the ball to Collin Gillespie in the corner, who swiftly found an unmarked O’Neale. O’Neale’s precise shot sent the home crowd into raptures and left the Lakers with a final opportunity. Austin Reaves nearly turned the tables for Los Angeles, but his open corner three-point attempt missed at the buzzer, sealing the win for Phoenix.

DUB.@match_mortgage | #SunsUp pic.twitter.com/NG1QwZfV50

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) February 27, 2026

Momentum Swings and Key Performances

The game’s finale was marked by a flurry of crucial baskets. The Lakers erased a 12-point deficit with 6:28 remaining, tying the contest at 108 apiece following a three-pointer from Austin Reaves with just a minute on the clock. O’Neale responded immediately for the Suns, converting a layup off an offensive rebound for a 110-108 lead. LeBron James then registered a tip-in on the next possession, levelling the scores at 110 with 22.7 seconds to play, setting up O’Neale’s decisive intervention.

Earlier, Phoenix overturned a 13-point deficit in the third quarter, finishing the period tied at 80. Grayson Allen was instrumental during this stretch, amassing 16 points in the third frame alone, including four successful three-pointers.

Standout Stats and Shooting

Collin Gillespie was also significant in the Suns’ victory, sinking four three-pointers in the decisive fourth quarter and finishing with 21 points. As a team, Phoenix knocked down 22 of their 50 shots from beyond the arc, converting at a rate of 44%.

The Lakers had opened the second half with an 11-0 run to claim a 60-49 advantage, punctuated by DeAndre Ayton’s alley-oop dunk from a Luka Doncic pass. However, the Suns remained resilient, finishing strong in spite of missing All-Star guard Devin Booker (hip strain) and forward Dillon Brooks (fractured hand) – the duo who typically combine for approximately 45 points per fixture. Notably, Thursday’s contest marked the first time Phoenix surpassed the 100-point mark in regulation over their last five outings.

Luka Doncic paced Los Angeles with 41 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, but no other Laker finished with more than 15 points.

Looking Ahead

The Los Angeles Lakers will travel to face Golden State on Saturday night. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns will play away against Sacramento on Tuesday night.