Depleted Clippers Fade After Halftime in Loss to Suns
Ivica Zubac scored 23 points on a night when Kawhi Leonard and James Harden were absent, but Phoenix dominated the third quarter and the Clippers could not recover, losing 115-102 for their third consecutive defeat.
Game Summary
The Clippers aimed to build chemistry early in the season with their revamped roster, but missing key players and overlapping absences have made winning difficult.
Jalen Green shone in his Phoenix debut with 29 points, while Devin Booker contributed 24 points. The Suns defeated a Clippers team missing stars Leonard and Harden.
Key Performances
- Ivica Zubac led the Clippers with 23 points and 11 rebounds.
- Cam Christie scored 17 points off the bench.
- John Collins added 13 points, and Bogdan Bogdanovic contributed 12.
Player Absences
James Harden, who averages 23.3 points per game, missed the game due to personal reasons. Kawhi Leonard, averaging 24.3 points, was sidelined with a right ankle sprain.
Suns Highlights
Green, a guard who missed the Suns’ first eight games with a hamstring strain, played 23 minutes, shooting 10 of 20 from the field, including 6 of 13 from three-point range. Phoenix made 19 three-pointers—a mark just one short of their season high.
"Green was acquired from Houston in the offseason in the seven-team trade that sent Kevin Durant from Phoenix to the Rockets."
The Clippers held a 51-48 lead at halftime before the Suns took control in the third quarter to secure the win.
Author's summary: The Clippers, missing key stars Leonard and Harden, fell to the Suns despite Ivica Zubac’s strong effort, as Phoenix’s depth and hot shooting proved decisive.