The Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns were in a close, hard-fought Game 4 that had the power to swing the balance of the series. Then, just before halftime, Anthony Davis suffered a Grade 1 groin strain that would remove him from the second half. Kyle Kuzma started in his place, and things went downhill almost immediately.
Kuzma found out he was starting in place of Davis for the second half with “30 seconds on the clock,” and it was clear he and the Lakers were not prepared. A four-point Suns lead at halftime became 14 before the eight-minute mark of the third quarter, and L.