Lakers vs. Suns score: Live updates as LeBron James, Los Angeles visit Phoenix for Game 5; Anthony Davis out

The first-round series between the Phoenix Suns and defending champion Los Angeles Lakers has been a close one through four games, yet injuries have played a critical role. Suns star Chris Paul suffered a shoulder contusion in the opener and has been gutting it out despite the obvious struggles playing with the injury. Now, the Lakers are dealing with an injured Anthony Davis, who left Game 4 with a groin strain. With neither side close to full health, it is the Suns who have taken advantage in the early going as they own a sizable lead after three quarters of play. 

Davis left Game 4 with a groin injury, and is out for Game 5. The Lakers will fortunately have Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (knee) back in the lineup. Without Davis, though, Los Angeles will need to lean on LeBron James more than ever. The veteran superstar is having his lowest-scoring playoff series since 2011, and that must change for the seventh-seeded Lakers to get past this Suns team, especially with Paul looking healthier as the series goes following his early setback.

For more on the NBA playoffs, we’ve got you covered with an in-depth look at the Suns-Lakers series, the round-by-round playoff schedule, a breakdown of every team’s X-factors and our expert predictions for both the opening round and the entire postseason. Follow below for all the real-time updates throughout Game 5 between Phoenix and Los Angeles.