Kendrick Perkins had a lot to say following the Los Angeles Lakers‘ crushing 127-100 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night. The former NBA champion didn’t hold back, taking to Twitter to share his unfiltered thoughts on the Lakers’ performance, which he labeled as unacceptable, while also praising the Suns’ dominance.
Perkins started by singling out LeBron James, criticizing the Lakers star for his poor defensive showing and visible frustration on the court.
“Bron was horrible tonight defensively, and his body language was unacceptable.”
LeBron’s stat line wasn’t disastrous—18 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists—but his defensive lapses and turnovers (five on the night) were costly. Perkins’ comments echoed the frustration many Lakers fans felt, as the team faltered in the second half, particularly during a disastrous third quarter.
D’Angelo Russell was the next target of Perkins’ frustration.
“D’Angelo Russell be trippin’. Some of the things he does on the court make my damn skin crawl.”
Russell scored 16 points off the bench, but his inefficient 5-of-13 shooting and questionable decision-making stood out. The Lakers have heavily relied on Russell to provide stability, but his inconsistency has often left fans and analysts disappointed.
Perkins pointed out a glaring issue that has plagued the Lakers all season—their inability to defend the perimeter effectively.
“Perimeter play will always be the issue for the Lakers on both ends of the floor. Hopefully, Pelinka addresses the issue before Bron retires!”
The Suns exploited this weakness, shooting 40.5% from beyond the arc as Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Kevin Durant repeatedly found open looks.
The lack of a reliable defensive stopper on the perimeter has made it difficult for the Lakers to contend with teams that feature elite scorers. With Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal both returning to the Suns’ lineup, the Lakers couldn’t contain Phoenix’s firepower, and Perkins’ assessment that this problem needs immediate fixing is difficult to argue.
While the majority of Perkins’ tweets focused on the Lakers’ failings, he made sure to give the Suns their due credit.
“The Suns look like a lottery team without KD, but with KD… they definitely look like legit Title Contenders!”
Phoenix showcased their offensive versatility with all three of their stars—Durant, Booker, and Beal—scoring over 20 points each. Durant and Beal, who recently returned from injury, looked sharp, giving the Suns an edge in their title aspirations.
The blowout loss marked the Lakers’ third consecutive defeat, and frustration among the fanbase is palpable. Many fans echoed Perkins’ sentiments, calling out the team for a lack of urgency and effort, especially in the second half. The recurring theme of third-quarter collapses has made it clear that adjustments are needed both on and off the court.
With the Lakers now sitting at 10-7, their early-season success is being overshadowed by their inability to compete against stronger teams. The team has an opportunity to bounce back against the San Antonio Spurs on the second night of a back-to-back, but questions remain about their ability to address these ongoing issues.
For now, Perkins’ critique serves as a reminder that while LeBron and Davis can still deliver, the Lakers’ supporting cast and defensive shortcomings are major hurdles in their quest for a deep playoff run. The clock is ticking for General Manager Rob Pelinka to make the necessary moves before it’s too late.
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