Sasha Vujacic and the Lakers headed over to Phoenix, AZ to battle the Phoenix Suns after Saturday’s thrilling win against the Sacramento Kings in double overtime. They were looking to win their second consecutive game on the road.

The Lakers used a different starting lineup than usual, replacing Ron Artest with Lamar Odom, due to Artest’s injury. After a cold offensive start from both teams, the Lakers tied the ball game with the Suns at 10 points apiece at the 6:47 mark. The Lakers also ended up getting on a 7-0 run as they led the contest at four. Andrew Bynum also drew a foul at the 5:49 mark and hit both free throws. However, the Lakers suffered a defensive breakdown as the ball game was tied at 18 at 3:16. The tables were turned as the Suns got on a 7-0 run of their own.

Sasha entered the game along with Jordan Farmar for the last 44.5 seconds. However, Robin Lopez made the very last shot, giving the Suns the closing first quarter lead at 25-23.

Sasha remained in the game at the beginning of the second quarter guarding fellow Slovenian Goran Dragic. By the 10:53 mark, the Suns were already up nine points. Sasha made his first shot attempt, a jump shot which went in like a feisty dagger. He was removed from the game at the 5:02 mark, bringing back the starters in an attempt to catch up to the Suns. By the 3:40 mark, the Lakers were still down 48-38. Sasha returned with more than a minute to play in the half, but the Lakers still trailed 50-56 at halftime.

The second half commenced with the starters lobbying to catch up. By the 7:45 mark, the Suns’ lead was down to five after a shot by Adam Morrison. The Lakers were already down by 12 points as they were no match for the quickness and hustle of the Suns. Derek Fisher was granted a technical and the Lakers were down 66-82 by the 3:10 mark. Sasha returned to the game at the 3:10 mark, tracking San Diego’s Jared Dudley. However, the Suns still retained a 12 point lead, 89-77, at the end of the third.

Sasha remained in the game at the beginning of the fourth quarter and made his second attempt, a three-pointer. Sasha missed his second shot attempt from behind the arc, and the Lakers were still behind 102-87 at the 7:58 mark. He was removed from the contest two minutes later.

Unfortunately for the Lakers, the Suns had weapons everywhere. Dragic and Dudley were a few of those weapons and were standouts for the Suns. However Kobe Bryant had an excellent game offensively and scored 34 points for the Lakers in Monday’s contest.

The Lakers lost the ball game to the Suns 118-103.

Sasha finished Monday’s game with five points, one rebound, and one assist in 19:08 of playing time. Hopefully the Lakers can bounce back from Monday’s loss as they battle the Golden State Warriors at home on Tuesday.