The Phoenix Suns took care of business at home, defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 115-102 in a game that highlighted the depth and versatility of the Suns’ roster. With the Clippers missing key players James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, the Suns seized the opportunity to secure their fourth win of the season, despite their own struggles on the road.
Jalen Green led the way for the Suns, scoring 29 points in his debut, the second-highest total for a Suns player in their first game, trailing only the legendary Charles Barkley. Green was supported by Devin Booker, who added 24 points, as the Suns’ starting five all finished the game in double figures.
Clippers Struggle Without Key Players
The Clippers, coming off a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, were missing the offensive firepower of Harden and Leonard. Harden had scored 25 points in the previous game, while Leonard had accumulated 61 points and 10 steals in his last two outings. Without their star duo, the Clippers struggled to find their rhythm on the offensive end.
Ivica Zubac was the lone bright spot for the Clippers, recording a double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Cam Christie provided a spark off the bench, contributing 17 points on 5-of-7 shooting. However, the Clippers’ lack of scoring options proved to be their downfall.
Suns’ Dominant Third Quarter
The game was decided in the third quarter, where the Suns outscored the Clippers 40-23. Phoenix went on a 14-6 run, followed by a 15-0 surge that pushed their lead to 23 points at 82-59. Royce O’Neale led the charge, scoring 11 points and knocking down 3 three-pointers in the quarter.
Devin Booker also contributed 8 points and 2 made three-pointers during the Suns’ offensive onslaught. The Clippers struggled to keep up, managing just 7 made field goals on 19 attempts in the quarter, with Zubac being the only player to find consistent success.
Suns Maintain Control
The Suns continued to apply pressure in the fourth quarter, opening with a 13-3 run that all but sealed the victory. Phoenix’s lead reached 25 points at 104-79, and although the Clippers were able to cut the deficit to 11 points late, the Suns had already done enough to secure the win.
With this victory, the Suns improved their record to 4-5, while the Clippers fell to 3-5 after their third consecutive loss. The two teams will meet again on Saturday in Los Angeles, as the Suns prepare to face the New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks, and Indiana Pacers, while the Clippers look to get healthy and bounce back against the Atlanta Hawks and Denver Nuggets.
