Depleted Clippers Fade After Halftime in Loss to Suns
The Clippers, missing Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, were unable to hold their lead after halftime, falling to the Suns 115-102 for their third consecutive defeat.
Key Performances and Team Challenges
Ivica Zubac led the Clippers with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Cam Christie contributed 17 points off the bench. John Collins scored 13 points, and Bogdan Bogdanovic added 12. Despite holding a narrow 51-48 lead at halftime, the Clippers struggled in the third quarter where Phoenix took control of the game.
Suns' Strong Showing in Debut and Beyond
Jalen Green made an impressive debut for Phoenix, scoring 29 points. Devin Booker added 24 points as the Suns capitalized on the Clippers' depleted lineup. Green played 23 minutes, shooting 50% from the field, including 6 for 13 from three-point range as the Suns nearly hit their season high with 19 made threes.
Player Availability Impact
- Kawhi Leonard missed the game due to a right ankle sprain.
- James Harden was absent for personal reasons; he averages 23.3 points per game.
- Jalen Green returned after missing the first eight games with a right hamstring strain.
"The Clippers were hoping to spend the early weeks of the season building chemistry and sorting through their rotation combinations with a revamped roster. That’s been hard to do with some of their core players missing games, and overlapping absences are making wins hard to come by too."
Trade Background
Jalen Green was acquired by the Suns in a major offseason trade involving seven teams, which saw Kevin Durant move from Phoenix to Houston.
Author's summary: The Clippers’ attempts to solidify their roster chemistry are hampered by key absences, allowing the Suns, led by debuting Jalen Green, to dominate and extend Los Angeles’ losing streak.