Lakers at Suns: travel guide for November 15, 2026
The game
The Los Angeles Lakers visit the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, November 15, 2026. Tip-off is 2:00 pm MST (Arizona time) at Mortgage Matchup Center, the Suns' arena in downtown Phoenix, Arizona, formerly known as Footprint Center. Arizona does not observe daylight saving time, so in November that is 1:00 pm PT back in Los Angeles. An afternoon tip on a Sunday makes this one of the easier road trips of the season to fit into a weekend.
Planning the trip
With two weeks to go, now is a good time to settle travel and a place to stay, since weekend flights and rooms tend to tighten as the date gets closer. The main airport is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), only a few miles east of downtown. Phoenix has no long-distance train station downtown, so most Lakers fans either fly or drive; the trip from Los Angeles on Interstate 10 is roughly a five- to six-hour drive, depending on traffic.
Visiting fans usually stay in one of a few areas. Downtown Phoenix puts you within walking distance of the arena. Tempe, home of Arizona State University, is a short drive or light rail ride to the east. Scottsdale, to the northeast, is a longer drive but popular for a weekend away. Midtown Phoenix, just north of downtown, is another option close to the light rail line.
On game day
Valley Metro Rail, the region's light rail, runs through downtown Phoenix with stops a short walk from Mortgage Matchup Center, and it links to Sky Harbor via the airport's PHX Sky Train. Rideshare is common for Suns games, and there are parking garages and lots across downtown. Expect busy streets before tip-off, so plan to arrive early, settle in and watch warm-ups. Check the arena's bag policy before you leave, along with door times and parking details; the arena's own website has the current information on all of these.
Around the arena
Mortgage Matchup Center sits in the heart of downtown Phoenix, a few blocks from Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and near the Phoenix Convention Center. The surrounding blocks are lively on game days, with plenty of places to eat and drink within walking distance. A little to the north, the Roosevelt Row arts district is known for its murals and galleries, and is worth a walk if you have time before or after the game.
Before you go
The Lakers are 4-2 in the 2026-27 regular season, according to TeamCalendar's standings. Here are their six regular-season games so far:
- October 21, 2026: beat the Golden State Warriors 127-105 at home
- October 23, 2026: beat the LA Clippers 125-117 at home
- October 25, 2026: won 132-123 at the Utah Jazz
- October 27, 2026: lost 136-129 to the Portland Trail Blazers at home
- October 28, 2026: won 103-87 at the LA Clippers
- October 30, 2026: lost 112-95 at the Golden State Warriors
All four wins came by eight points or more, and they are 2-1 on the road, so a trip to Phoenix is a familiar kind of test this early in the season.