Lakers' winning streak against Suns comes crashing down in blowout loss

In one way, the wheels were set in motion for the Lakers’ 127-109 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Thursday during the opening week of the season. In just their second game, the Lakers bricked shot after shot but still found a way to beat the Suns in coach Frank Vogel’s first game back in Los Angeles. Then the Lakers put together a fourth-quarter comeback in Phoenix to start the in-season tournament before later knocking the Suns out on their way to Vegas.

Beating Phoenix — a team this front-loaded with talent — a fourth time in as many tries was going to be tough.

But in another, and probably more critical way, this loss has been in the works since July 1 when the Lakers built a roster that’s slid below .500 again despite All-Star seasons from its two best players.

On Thursday, the Lakers looked as listless as ever, mostly wandering their way through a game, that was, in part, a receipt for those three previous wins.

But even with Rui Hachimura still recovering from a minor calf strain and Christian Wood out because of headaches (Gabe Vincent remains out after knee surgery), the product the Lakers have produced over the past month must have the team’s front office hunting for upgrades.

That, though, is all big picture.

Thursday, the Lakers didn’t have anyone who could compete with the Suns’ firepower, Bradley Beal scoring 37 and Devin Booker pouring in 31 in pretty easy fashion. Kevin Durant scored 18 on just 12 shots, the stars beating the Lakers so badly that LeBron James and Anthony Davis got the fourth quarter off.

Guard D’Angelo Russell, who becomes trade eligible Monday, seems like he’ll likely be involved in any move of substance. He led the Lakers with 19 off the bench, his third-straight game with at least 11 points after returning from a tailbone injury.

Davis scored just 13 and James had 10 as the Lakers never played with any real juice after winning the last two games.

The Lakers play in Utah on Saturday.