The Los Angeles Lakers lost their third-straight game on Tuesday night, falling to the Phoenix Suns by a final score of 127-100. This loss dropped the Lakers to 10-7 on the season.

Phoenix was aided in this win by the injury returns of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. Durant had missed the last seven games with a left calf strain, while Beal had missed five games with a calf injury of his own.

While Phoenix has been very impressive with Durant in the lineup this season, moving to 9-1 when he plays, this was another game where the Lakers looked non-competitive against a Western Conference rival.

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23). © Mark J.

Rebilas-Imagn Images © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Giving up 127 points in back-to-back games, the Lakers followed their 25-point loss to the Denver Nuggets with a 27-point loss in Phoenix. Speaking with reporters after the game, Lakers head coach JJ Redick said big changes could be coming.

“JJ Redick said the Lakers are going to have to look at changing their defensive schemes against the league’s better offenses,” Jovan Buha of The Athletic wrote on X.

“He said the Suns’ stars got both whatever they wanted individually offensively and also were able to generate open 3s for their teammates.”

JJ Redick said the Lakers are going to have to look at changing their defensive schemes against the league’s better offenses. He said the Suns’ stars got both whatever they wanted individually offensively and also were able to generate open 3s for their teammates. — Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) November 27, 2024

This is just one change Redick mentioned postgame, with perhaps the even bigger potential move being a starting lineup adjustment.

“Redick said that it’s possible that it’s easier for Dalton Knecht to get in a better rhythm as a starter and that it’s something he and his coaching staff are going to consider,” Buha added.

Redick said that it’s possible that it’s easier for Dalton Knecht to get in a better rhythm as a starter and that it’s something he and his coaching staff are going to consider. — Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) November 27, 2024 After starting four-straight games, Knecht has come off the bench for the last two losses.

The Lakers went 3-1 in that stretch he was starting, but moved the rookie back to the bench once Rui Hachimura returned from injury.

Knecht has started five games overall for the Lakers this season, and is averaging 19.6 points on 55.4% from the field in those contests.