Depleted Clippers Fade After Halftime in Loss to Suns
Ivica Zubac scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds on a night when Kawhi Leonard and James Harden were both sidelined, but the Phoenix Suns took control after halftime to hand the Clippers a 115–102 loss, their third consecutive defeat.
Short-Handed Clippers Struggle for Rhythm
The Clippers aimed to use the early season to build chemistry and refine their rotations after revamping their roster. However, frequent absences of key players have disrupted their rhythm and made consistency difficult to achieve.
Green Shines in Phoenix Debut
Jalen Green impressed in his debut with Phoenix, scoring 29 points. Devin Booker added 24 as the Suns capitalized on the Clippers’ weakened lineup to secure the win on Thursday night.
“Green, a guard who missed the Suns’ first eight games with a right hamstring strain, played 23 minutes and shot 10-for-20 from the field, including 6-for-13 from 3-point range.”
The Suns connected on 19 three-pointers, just one shy of their season best. Green, acquired from Houston in the offseason as part of a seven-team trade that sent Kevin Durant from Phoenix to the Rockets, provided an immediate spark.
Clippers’ Offensive Leaders
- Ivica Zubac: 23 points, 11 rebounds
- Cam Christie: 17 points off the bench
- John Collins: 13 points
- Bogdan Bogdanovic: 12 points
The Clippers led 51–48 at halftime but lost momentum in the third quarter as Phoenix surged ahead. Harden sat out for personal reasons, while Leonard missed the game due to a right ankle sprain.
Author’s Summary
The short-handed Clippers lost their third straight game as Phoenix, led by Jalen Green’s impressive debut, dominated after halftime to win 115–102.