Bradley Beal Faces Tough Return as Clippers Fall to Suns
Bradley Beal’s return to Phoenix ended in disappointment as the Los Angeles Clippers suffered a 115–102 defeat to the Suns on Thursday night. It was his first game back in Arizona since his contract buyout with the Suns in July, which ended the team’s short-lived attempt to establish a “big three” with Beal, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker.
During his stint with Phoenix, Beal registered his third-lowest scoring average of his 14-year career. His comeback was met with boos, and his performance reflected the tension — he managed five points, one rebound, and one assist while shooting only 14.3 percent from the field. The Clippers played without James Harden and Kawhi Leonard.
Devin Booker led the Suns with 24 points, seven assists, and six rebounds, guiding Phoenix to victory in front of the home crowd. The Clippers slipped to a 3–5 record overall and 0–3 on the road, while the Suns improved to 4–5 at home.
Fans reacted online to Beal’s rough night, questioning whether he could rebound from his early-season struggles.
Los Angeles entered halftime with a narrow 51–48 advantage, but Phoenix took control in the third quarter with a 40-point surge, building a 14-point lead heading into the final frame. The Clippers’ late push fell short as the Suns maintained composure to close out the game.
Next Matchup
Both teams now stand tied in their season series at one win each. They are set to face off again on Saturday when the Clippers host the Suns in Los Angeles.
Author’s summary: Beal’s Phoenix return ended in boos and poor shooting as Booker’s strong play powered the Suns past the short-handed Clippers.