Dillon Brooks shines to take Suns over Lakers in preseason NBA clash

PALM DESERT: Dillon Brooks scored 24 points, followed by Grayson Allen's 13 as the Phoenix Suns opened the preseason play with a 103-81 victory over Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA) match here at the Acrisure Stadium on Friday.

Brooks, a rookie who joined Phoenix after a big offseason transaction involving Kevin Durant, scored 10 points in his first game. 

The Lakers' starting lineup included Jarred Vanderbilt, Rui Hachimura, rookies Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia, and Austin Reaves scored 20 points. Ayton just managed one point and eight rebounds in his 18 minutes of play.

Bronny James, turning 21 on Monday, entered the first substitution group and played nearly 23 minutes. While he struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just one of seven attempts, he made five free throws and contributed on both ends. His lone field goal came on a late third-quarter 3-pointer.

Luka Doncic and LeBron James were on the bench. Doncic was dealing with exhaustion following a hectic summer playing for Slovenia, while LeBron, who is starting his record 23rd NBA season, is recuperating from a minor nerve ailment.

Both celebrities watched from the floor, missing what Lakers coach JJ Redick described as a crucial opportunity for a dress rehearsal with the entire team.

The Lakers will continue their preseason on Sunday against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco, and Redick is hopeful to see LeBron and Doncic on the court before the regular season begins.