Lakers lose by 23 to Phoenix

The Lakers answered a big question tonight. Q: What kind of team are they without the injured Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, playing the second of back-to-back games, against an almost last-place team? A: A bad team. The Lakers staggered to a 99-76 loss against the Suns, shooting 33 percent as a team, and were out-rebounded by the Suns.

"If you thought the playoffs were all but locked up, think again. Monday was a major reminder of the work that's still ahead for this Lakers team with 13 games left to play," says ESPN LA's Dave McMenamin.