Los Angeles Lakers pull away from short-handed Phoenix Suns

LOS ANGELES — The short-handed Phoenix Suns fell to the Los Angeles Lakers, 121-107, Friday night before a sellout crowd of 18,997 at Crypto.com Arena.

The Suns (45-36) rested Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton and sat Kevin Durant (left ankle injury management) and T.J. Warren (illness), who missed his second straight game.

Suns coach Monty Williams wouldn't say if those four are playing in Sunday's final regular season game against the Clippers (42-38) at Footprint Center in Phoenix. The Clippers play Saturday at Portland (33-47).

"We don't know just yet," Williams said. "We're going to evaluate."

The loss snapped Phoenix’s seven-game winning streak. Torrey Craig scored a team-high 18 points while Jock Landale went for a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.

Bismack Biyombo (knee) and Cameron Payne (low back) suffered injuries in the first half and didn’t play in the second half.

NBA: SCOREBOARD | STANDINGS | STATISTICS

"The Bizzy one was scary," Craig said. "The Cam Payne one was scary. I'm just glad it wasn't as serious. It looked scary for both of them, but I'm glad they were able to bounce back and at least they're walking around."

LeBron James (foot) and Anthony Davis (foot) played for the Lakers (42-39) as those two were listed as questionable hours before the game.

D’Angelo Russell (foot) also played as he was listed as probable, but Dennis Schroder sat out with neck spasms. Russell scored a game-high 24 points while Austin Reaves went for 22.

James scored 16 points on 6-of-19 shooting and Davis posted 14 points and a game-high 21 rebounds.

With Durant out, he and James continue their drought of not playing against each other since Christmas 2018, but the two hugged and talked to each other Friday.

The Lakers have already clinched a spot in the play-in tournament, but are looking to move up out of the play-in.

Phoenix is a fourth seed in the West while defending NBA champion Golden State (43-38) moved from sixth to fifth after winning, 119-97, Friday at Sacramento.

The 4-5 seeds play in the first round as the Suns will have homecourt advantage. Golden State finishes the regular season Sunday at Portland.

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

Support local journalism. Start your online subscription.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Los Angeles Lakers pull away from short-handed Phoenix Suns, 121-107