Phoenix Suns drop Game 2 of playoff series to Los Angeles Lakers

May 25, 2021, 9:46 PM | Updated: 11:47 pm

Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne (15) drives past Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) and center Marc Gasol, left, to score during the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

BY ARIZONA SPORTS

The Phoenix Suns dropped Game 2 of the first round to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, falling 109-102.

The loss tied the series at 1-1.

The Lakers came out hot, shaking off the Sunday night loss and held the lead for most of Game 2.

All eyes were on Chris Paul after he suffered a right shoulder injury in Game 1 that impacted his ability to play in a variety of ways.

The point guard didn’t look fully himself and ended the night with six points, five assists and three rebounds.

Cam Payne had a stellar night, posting 19 points off the bench and most importantly – shooting a 3 to tie up the game in the fourth quarter at 86-86.

UNLIMITED RANGEEEEEE!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/oCg019NODa

— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) May 26, 2021

A dunk by Deandre Ayton gave the Suns the lead, but it ultimately was not enough.

WE ARE DA FANS 😤 pic.twitter.com/JL5o4e6ZHf

— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) May 26, 2021

The two teams now head to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Thursday night at 7 p.m.

Listen live on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

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PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 25: Fans arrive to Game Two of the Western Conference first-round playoff series between the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns Arena on May 25, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker acknowledges the Suns fans after warming up prior to Game 2 of their NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Fans and players pause for a moment of silence to honor George Floyd prior to Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series between the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 25: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns puts up a shot over Andre Drummond #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of Game Two of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on May 25, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 25: Fans of the Phoenix Suns hold up "beat la" signs during the first half of Game Two of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on May 25, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder (17) gets off a shot over Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, left, as Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) looks on during the first half of Game 2 of their NBA basketball first-round playoff series Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 25: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns looks to pass against Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of Game Two of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on May 25, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) and Suns forward Jae Crowder (99) battle with Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) for the ball during the first half of Game 2 of their NBA basketball first-round playoff series Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of Game 2 of their NBA basketball first-round playoff series Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams, left, celebrates with Suns guard Chris Paul (3) after Paul scored against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of Game 2 of their NBA basketball first-round playoff series Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) stops the drive by Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder, left, during the first half of Game 2 of their NBA basketball first-round playoff series Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 25: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Phoenix Suns puts up a three-point shot against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of Game Two of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on May 25, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 25: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns high fives Chris Paul #3 and Mikal Bridges #25 after scoring against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of Game Two of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on May 25, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 25: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns shoots a free-throw shot against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of Game Two of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on May 25, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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