There was a moment in the Phoenix Suns’ loss to the Lakers on Sunday that felt heavier than the final score. It marked the first time Phoenix faced Luka Doncic in a Lakers uniform, a player all too familiar with tormenting them. Before Sunday, he had faced the Suns 21 times, averaging 28.9 points per game. Only Michael Jordan, at 34.1, has done more damage.
For seven years, Luka has seen every version of this franchise. He played them when they were a 19-win afterthought, when Ricky Rubio arrived to steady the ship, when they reached the Finals, and when they won 64 games—only for him to dismantle them.