Royce O’Neale sank a crucial 3-pointer with just 1.7 seconds left to secure a 113-110 victory for the Phoenix Suns against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, Philippine time. Overcoming a 13-point deficit in the second half, the Suns completed a dramatic comeback at their home court in Phoenix, highlighting the impact of O’Neale’s game-winner.
Key Plays Define Final Moments of a Tight Contest
Before the final shot, O’Neale put the Suns ahead 110-108 on the previous possession. The Lakers’ LeBron James responded with a tip-in, tying the game at 110 with 22.7 seconds remaining. Deciding the game in a single possession, Grayson Allen drove toward the basket and delivered a perfect pass to Collin Gillespie, who then found O’Neale unguarded on the left wing for the decisive 3-point shot.
Contributions from Suns’ Supporting Cast Fuel Comeback
Grayson Allen led the Suns with 28 points and connected on six three-pointers, while Collin Gillespie added 21 points, also sinking six 3-pointers. Together, they helped the Suns outpace Luka Doncic’s extraordinary 41-point effort. This win extends Phoenix’s advantage in the season series, where they now hold three victories in the first four outings against Los Angeles, with one more game scheduled on April 10 in Los Angeles.
Doncic’s Stellar Performance Isn’t Enough for Lakers
Luka Doncic had an impressive all-around game, making six threes and narrowly missing a triple-double by a small margin. He finished with eight assists and eight rebounds, shooting efficiently by hitting 12 of 21 field goals and converting 11 of 12 free throws. Despite his efforts, the Lakers fell short in the closing minutes.
Late-Game Drama Sets Stage for O’Neale’s Heroics
The Suns maintained a sharp shooting pace, finishing with 22 made three-pointers on 50 attempts (44%). Royce O’Neale himself scored 13 points and hit three triples. After a strong start by the Lakers’ offense, including an 11-point run early in the third quarter, the Suns executed a 13-0 run late in the fourth that put them firmly ahead. Deandre Ayton, a former Sun now with the Lakers, committed a key flagrant closeout foul that led to a six-point possession for Phoenix, including a dunk by Oso Ighodaro to stretch the lead to 101-89 before Los Angeles fought back.
Final Minutes See Intense Back-and-Forth
The lead narrowed quickly as the Lakers closed the gap, with Doncic’s sixth three-pointer cutting the deficit to 103-101. Gillespie responded with his sixth triple to regain some space for Phoenix. Lakers’ Jake LaRavia made two free throws to bring the score to 108-105, followed by Austin Reeves hitting a three to tie the game at 108. The Suns, however, managed to hold the ball for the final shot, culminating in O’Neale’s game-winning three-pointer.
Implications and Upcoming Challenges in the Western Conference
The Lakers, now having lost five of their last seven contests, remain just one game ahead of the Suns for the sixth seed in the Western Conference. Marcus Smart added 14 points for Los Angeles but could not prevent the close defeat. This thrilling victory provides the Suns with renewed confidence as they look to improve their standing and prepare for their next meeting on April 10. O’Neale’s clutch performance highlights his growing importance to the Suns’ roster and could prove pivotal in their playoff push.
DUB.@match_mortgage | #SunsUp pic.twitter.com/NG1QwZfV50
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) February 27, 2026
ROYCE O'NEALE HITS THE GO-AHEAD 3 TO WIN IT FOR THE SUNS 🚨
HE SCORED THE LAST 7 POINTS FOR PHOENIX! pic.twitter.com/jWFOMMXLiq
— NBA (@NBA) February 27, 2026
LUKA'S UP TO 41 PTS 🔥
Lakers trail by 3 with under 2 to play! pic.twitter.com/MCMGXmtaOR
— NBA (@NBA) February 27, 2026
