The Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers encompass the two sides of the biggest, most hate-filled rivalry in Arizona sports. No two professional teams have more history, bigger moments, more heartbreak, and more angst than the Suns and Lakers. Facing off 245 times prior to 2018-19, the Lakers hold a 139-106 lead in the regular season head-to-head match up and a 38-24 playoff lead as well.
Phoenix has never held a lead in the regular season head-to-head as the early years of the rivalry was dominated by L.A. while the Suns found their footing.
Los Angeles swept Phoenix 6-0 in the Suns’ inaugural season, although Phoenix battled to a 3-3 regular season series tie in 1969-70 which led to the two franchise’s first playoff bout, an exciting Western Division Semifinals series in which the surprising Suns pushed the Lakers to the brink, taking a 3-1 lead before dropping three straight in decisive manner.