The Los Angeles Lakers were narrowly defeated by the Phoenix Suns on February 27, 2026, falling 113-110 after a last-second three-pointer. Veteran guard Marcus Smart identified the team’s defensive communication failures as the primary cause of the loss, emphasizing the need for better coordination on the court. This defeat marks another setback in a season where the Lakers have struggled to maintain consistent form, and Smart’s remarks underscore growing concerns about the team’s defensive cohesion.
In his post-game comments, Smart acknowledged that the Lakers’ miscommunication on defense allowed the Suns to capitalize repeatedly.
“Our miscommunication… we just didn’t communicate a lot of those shots,”
he said.
“I think like eight of them, where it’s like just, we didn’t talk, we didn’t switch when we were supposed to, and they got the set, they feed, and have all day and knock it down. That’s on us, but you gotta get those guys credit, they ran their plays with execution to get those shots, and we just gotta be better.”
– Marcus Smart, Lakers guard
Smart insisted that the breakdowns were not due to luck or exceptional shooting by Phoenix, but rather a failure in the Lakers’ defensive execution. Given Smart’s leadership history in defense with the Boston Celtics, his critique carries weight, highlighting a significant gap in the Lakers’ current cohesion on that end of the floor.
Critical Defensive Sequence Decided Outcome
Despite multiple defensive lapses earlier, the Lakers showed resilience late in the game, closing the gap after trailing by double digits. Smart pinpointed a pivotal six-point sequence that effectively sealed the contest for the Suns. The Phoenix team nailed a three-pointer and immediately forced a steal, converting it into another three-pointer that swung momentum decisively in their favor.
Reflecting on that moment, Smart took full responsibility for the defensive breakdown. “That’s on us,” he said.
“It’s nothing the coaches can do. The game plan, they had a great game plan for us. We just got to go ahead and execute.”
– Marcus Smart, Lakers guard
This defense-led evaluation was notable as it publicly affirmed head coach JJ Redick’s strategy. Despite criticisms aimed at Redick for the Lakers’ ongoing struggles, Smart’s statement clarified that execution, not coaching, was the main issue affecting the team’s performance.
Royce O’Neale’s Clutch Three Caps Suns’ Rally After Lakers’ Comeback Effort
The game’s closing moments were dramatic as the Lakers tied it at 110 with a tip-in by LeBron James, pushing the match to what seemed like an inevitable overtime. However, the Suns responded immediately: Grayson Allen disrupted the defense by driving to the basket, Collin Gillespie facilitated with the extra pass, and Royce O’Neale nailed a crucial three-pointer from the left wing with just 1.7 seconds remaining. This shot completed Phoenix’s 13-point surge in the second half, handing the Lakers a heartbreaking loss.
The Suns overcame a recent offensive slump, having scored only 77 and 81 points in their two games before this matchup. Their impressive shooting in this game, hitting 22 of 50 three-point attempts, contrasted starkly with the Lakers’ uneven defensive responses. Notably, Luka Doncic delivered an outstanding individual performance for the Lakers, contributing 41 points alongside eight rebounds and eight assists, but even his efforts could not compensate for the late-game breakdowns on defense.
Momentum Shifts and Playoff Implications Ahead
The Lakers initially seized momentum by starting the third quarter with an 11-point run, but the Suns countered with a 13-0 streak that swung the contest back in their favor. This defeat leaves the Lakers narrowly ahead of the Suns by one game in the race for the #6 seed in the Western Conference. The teams are set for a rematch on April 10th, promising heightened stakes given their close standings and recent closely contested game.
For the Lakers, resolving their defensive communication problems is critical for maintaining playoff positioning. The remarks from Marcus Smart and the sequence that decided this game demonstrate that execution on defense will likely determine their success moving forward. With strong individual talent like LeBron James and Smart himself, the team’s challenge is to translate potential into consistent victories by tightening their defensive framework.
