Lakers vs. Suns score: Live NBA playoff updates as LeBron James, Los Angeles look to avoid elimination

The Los Angeles Lakers were run off of the floor in their 30-point loss to the Phoenix Suns in Game 5 of their best-of-seven series earlier this week. Now, LeBron James and Co. must find a way to top Phoenix on Thursday night or the defending champions will see their season come to an end much earlier than anyone could have anticipated. While Anthony Davis attempted to play through an injury to help his team, he only lasted five minutes before having to leave the floor again and ultimately ruled out for the remainder of the game. As a result, the Lakers are facing a sizable deficit after one half of play at Staples Center. 

Los Angeles needed for LeBron to be his old, dominant self in Game 5 and, for one reason or another, it just never happened as he was unable to get the type of looks we’ve grown accustomed to seeing out of him over the course of his storied postseason career. The Suns’ defense deserves plenty of credit for that as they have packed the paint to prevent LeBron from bullying his way to the basket. On the other side, all eyes are on the shoulder of Chris Paul as he appeared to reaggravate the injury in Phoenix’s Game 5 win. The Suns need for Paul to be as close to 100 percent as possible if only to help take some of the pressure off of Devin Booker’s shoulders on the offensive end.

For more on the NBA playoffs, we’ve got you covered with an in-depth look at the Lakers-Suns 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 6 between Los Angeles and Phoenix.