The Suns beat the Lakers 113-104 to close preseason 3-1, resting most regulars after their China trip. Deandre Ayton posted a 10-13 line as the anchor inside, while Jared Butler erupted for 33 in a night Phoenix leaned on a young, energy-forward group (Nigel Hayes-Davis, Rasheer Fleming, Khaman Maluach, Jordan Goodwin). Luka Doncic returned for LA as LeBron James sat with nerve pain and Bronny James appeared briefly. The win sets a confident tone and a clearer early-rotation path ahead of a week off before the opener vs Sacramento.

Dončić was solid in his return, matching Butler with 22 while the Lakers leaned on deep shooting to stay in touch early. Phoenix’s bench group helped swing momentum at key junctures, keeping the final impression positive as Ott builds from a camp-tested base. The upcoming regular-season tilt vs the Kings on Oct. 22 looms large, with Ott likely juggling minutes and evaluating the Suns’ depth against a robust Western slate.

Jason Kidd signed a multiyear extension with Dallas as the season opens against San Antonio, signaling stability after a turbulent 2024-25. The move comes as Dallas navigates a post-trade rebuild and health questions around their core.

Dallas traded Luka Dončić to the Lakers in February 2025 for Anthony Davis, endured Kyrie Irving injuries, and clawed into the Play-In before a lottery win brought Cooper Flagg. Flagg joins a retooled frontcourt with Davis, Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford, while D’Angelo Russell handles the ball until Irving’s status is resolved. Health and defense shape the ceiling.

With Flagg, Davis and Lively II anchoring the frontcourt and veteran wings like Klay Thompson and Max Christie in the fold, Dallas aims for a top defensive profile and a postseason push if Irving returns healthy. Early schedule versus the Spurs could set the tone for a compact West sprint and fantasy relevance across multiple lineups.