Tuesday night's meeting is the second of four meetings between the Lakers and the Suns during the 2021-22 NBA season.
The last time these two teams played was in opening week when the reigning Western Conference Champions cruised to a comfortable 115-105 win at STAPLES Center, a game that they led by as many as 32 points.
The 2021-22 season has been a contrasting one for both teams.
The Lakers have been plagued by player absences, due to injuries or other reasons, which hasn't helped them establish any consistency and gain momentum. Leading into this game with their 16-15 record, their inconsistency is proved by the fact that they have failed to win more than three games in a row and have never lost more than three in a row.
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As per the latest injury report released by the team, they have six players in the league's health and safety protocols for this game in Avery Bradley, Kent Bazemore, Dwight Howard, Talen Horton-Tucker, Malik Monk and Austin Reaves. All-Star Anthony Davis will miss this game due to the MCL sprain he suffered in his left knee in Minnesota. Frank Vogel is also reportedly in protocols, which will elevate David Fizdale as the acting head coach.
MORE: List of NBA players in health and safety protocols
On the other hand, the Suns have ridden their success from last year's playoffs into this season. After a 1-3 start, they have won 23 of their next 25 games including a franchise-record 18 straight victories to improve to a league-best 24-5 record.
They have gone about this impressive performance despite key players in Devin Booker (7) and Deandre Ayton (8) missing multiple games.
What channel is Lakers vs. Suns on?
Channel: TNT
Live stream: Watch TNT
What time does Lakers vs. Suns start?
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 21
Time: 10:00 p.m. ET | 7:00 p.m. PT
Lakers vs. Suns is scheduled to start at 10:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Dec. 21. The game will be played at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.
Lakers schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time | National TV |
| Dec. 21 | vs. Suns | 10:00 p.m | TNT |
| Dec. 23 | vs. Spurs | 10:30 p.m | - |
| Dec. 25 | vs. Nets | 8:00 p.m | ESPN, ABC |
| Dec. 28 | at Rockets | 8:00 p.m | - |
| Dec. 29 | at Grizzlies | 8:00 p.m | NBA TV |
(All Times Eastern)
Suns schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time | National TV |
| Dec. 21 | at Lakers | 10:00 p.m | TNT |
| Dec. 23 | vs. Thunder | 9:00 p.m | - |
| Dec. 25 | vs. Warriors | 5:00 p.m | ABC |
| Dec. 27 | vs. Grizzlies | 9:00 p.m | - |
| Dec. 29 | vs. Thunder | 9:00 p.m | - |
(All Times Eastern)
NBA schedule for 2021-22
After a truncated season in 2020-21, the NBA has returned to its standard 82-game format for the 2021-22 campaign, which is the league's 75th anniversary season.
Here are some key dates for the 2021-22 NBA season:
- Trade Deadline: Feb. 10
- NBA All-Star 2022: Feb. 18-20
- Regular season concludes: April 10
- Play-In Tournament: April 12-15
- Playoffs begin: April 16
- NBA Finals begin: June 2
- 2022 NBA Draft: June 23
