Depleted Clippers fade after halftime in loss to Suns

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, leaving the Clippers unable to recover in a 115-102 defeat. This marked the Clippers' third consecutive loss.

Game Overview

The Clippers aimed to build chemistry and find the best rotation with their revamped roster early in the season. However, key players missing games and overlapping absences have made securing wins difficult.

Suns’ Strong Performance

Jalen Green scored 29 points in his Phoenix debut.
Devin Booker contributed 24 points.
Green played 23 minutes, shooting 10 for 20 overall and 6 for 13 from three-point range.
The Suns made 19 three-pointers, just one shy of their season high.

Clippers’ Efforts

Ivica Zubac led the Clippers with 23 points and 11 rebounds.
Cam Christie added 17 points off the bench.
John Collins scored 13 points.
Bogdan Bogdanovic contributed 12 points.
The Clippers held a 51-48 lead at halftime but fell short in the second half.

Player Absences

The Clippers confirmed Harden (23.3 points per game) missed the game due to personal reasons, while Leonard (24.3 points per game) was sidelined with a right ankle sprain.

"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 on a night when the Suns made 19 from behind the arc, one short of their season high."

Green was acquired from Houston in the offseason during a seven-team trade that sent Kevin Durant from Phoenix to the Rockets.

Author's Summary

The Clippers struggled to overcome key absences, while the Suns capitalized on strong shooting and debut performances to secure a commanding victory.

Orange County Register — 2025-11-07