Preview: Lakers Visit Suns in Key Western Conference Matchup PHOENIX (Interstat) — The Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns, separated by just 1.5 games in the Western Conference standings, meet Thursday night at Mortgage Matchup Center in a pivotal late-season matchup. The visiting Lakers (34-22) arrive after a deflating 111-89 home loss to Boston on Sunday. LeBron James, a perennial player to watch, scored 20 points in that defeat and remains the engine for Los Angeles. Over his last 10 games, the veteran forward is averaging 19.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 8.1 assists, showcasing his enduring playmaking prowess. The Suns (33-25) are also looking to rebound from a poor offensive showing, a 92-77 home loss to Portland on Sunday. Guard Collin Gillespie, who led Phoenix with 18 points in that contest, has been inconsistent lately but is capable of explosive performances, as seen in a 30-point, 10-assist effort against Portland on Feb. 3. The season series is tied 1-1 in games played in Phoenix. The Suns dominated the most recent meeting 132-108 on Dec. 23, but the Lakers won 116-114 on Dec. 14. Both teams have struggled for consistency in February, with Los Angeles going 6-4 in its last 10 and Phoenix posting a 4-6 record over the same stretch. Beyond the standings, the game features intriguing guard play. The Lakers’ Luka Doncic is coming off a 25-point performance against Boston, while the Suns will rely on Gillespie and supporting scorers like Jalen Green to generate offense. With both teams embarking on difficult stretches in their schedules after this contest, securing a win against a direct conference rival is crucial for postseason positioning. The Lakers begin a four-game road trip after this, while the Suns face a daunting seven-game road trip starting next week. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST. The game will be televised on TNT.