The Los Angeles Lakers (34-23) are currently sixth in the Western Conference, with the Phoenix Suns (33-26) sitting behind them in seventh place. The two teams will battle each other Thursday at 9:00 p.m. ET on NBA League Pass.
Below, we’ll break down our Lakers vs. Suns prediction and picks for Thursday night’s game. Make your NBA picks on PrizePicks and earn real money if you’re right, including on game winners, spreads, and totals.
{{nba_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}
Lakers vs. Suns Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
The Suns thrive on defense. They have the ninth-best defensive rating (112.6) in the league, which has helped make up for their offensive rating that ranks 20th (113.2).
With the Suns playing such aggressive defense, they rank 19th in free throw attempts allowed per game (23.8). That’s a concerning stat for this matchup because the Lakers lead the NBA in free throw attempts per game (26.8).
Lakers vs. Suns Spread, Over/Under
The Lakers enter Thursday’s game as 5.5-point favorites on the road, returning a 1.47x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Suns are underdogs at home with a 2.7x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks, where you can earn money with your picks in 34 states.
- Spread: Lakers -5.5
- Total: 220.5
- Gamer Winner Payout: Lakers 1.47x | Suns 2.7x
Team picks data is live as of publishing and is subject to change.
Lakers vs. Suns Injury Report
Let’s dive into the full Lakers vs. Suns injury report for Thursday, via NBA.com.
Lakers Injury Report
- F Rui Hachimura (illness): Questionable
- C Jaxson Hayes (ankle): Probable
Suns Injury Report
- G Devin Booker (hip): OUT
- F-G Dillon Brooks (hand): OUT
- G Jordan Goodwin (calf): OUT
Lakers vs. Suns Prediction on Spread
Here are the key stats to know before locking in your Lakers vs. Suns prediction on the spread for Thursday, February 26 on PrizePicks.
- The Lakers are 21-12 against the spread as favorites, including 10-5 against the spread as road favorites.
- The Suns are 5-6 over the last 11 games that Booker has missed.
- Phoenix has lost each of the last three games that Brooks has been sidelined. They did not score more than 94 points in any of those four losses.
- Goodwin is also a key loss for the Suns. Prior to his injury, he had averaged 11.7 points over his last nine games.
- These two teams played in Phoenix two times already this season. Each team won one of them, but Booker and Brooks appeared in both games for the Suns. In the one game that the Lakers lost, Lakers G Luka Doncic did not play.
Lakers vs. Suns Picks for PrizePicks Today: 2/26
Here are top Lakers vs. Suns picks to target for Thursday, February 26, on PrizePicks. Today’s NBA picks for PrizePicks are headlined by Lakers F LeBron James and Suns G Jalen Green.
Lakers F LeBron James vs. Suns Projection: 11.5 Rebs+Asts
- James averages 5.4 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game on the road, versus 6.0 rebounds and 7.7 dimes a night at home.
- The 41-year-old combined for fewer than 12 rebounds and assists in five of his last seven road games.
- The Suns allow the fifth-fewest assists per game (24.8).
- LeBron has faced the Suns three times this season. In those games, he combined for 3, 7, and 8 rebounds and assists.
Suns G Jalen Green vs. Lakers Projection: 17.5 FG Attempted
- Green has the highest usage rate (33.8%) on the Suns. The next two on the list are the injured Booker (31.3%) and Brooks (28.9%).
- A hamstring injury has limited Green for much of the season, but he has started four straight games. In three of those matchups, he logged at least 26 minutes.
- With the former Rocket playing more, he jacked up at least 18 shots in all three games in which he spent at least 26 minutes on the court.
- The Lakers give up the ninth-most field goal attempts per game (87.9) in the NBA.
Suns F Royce O’Neale vs. Lakers Projection: 9 Points
- Suns F Royce O’Neale has scored at least 9 points in nine of his last 12 games.
- The veteran forward averages 10.5 points per game at home, thanks in part to him shooting 42.0% from behind the arc in Phoenix.
- The Lakers rank 19th in three-point shooting percentage allowed (36.5%).
- In both home games against the Lakers this season, O’Neale scored 12 points and hit 4 three-pointers. He went 8-for-12 from deep in those two games.
{{nba_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}
Make Lakers vs. Suns Picks on PrizePicks
Green and O’Neale will attempt to increase their scoring output for the shorthanded Suns on Thursday. While the Lakers are favorites on the road, James might have a difficult time racking up rebounds and assists against the stingy Suns defense.
You can make your Lakers vs. Suns picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks to earn real money. Just pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and cash in if you’re correct. With Team Picks, make predictions on winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 34 states.
Stick around with the Playbook for continued NBA predictions, picks, and news every day until the 2026 NBA Finals.
