Depleted Clippers Fade After Halftime in Loss to Suns
Ivica Zubac scored 23 points on a night when Kawhi Leonard and James Harden sat out, but Phoenix dominated the third quarter and the Clippers never recovered in a 115-102 defeat, marking their third straight loss.
Game Overview
The Clippers aimed to build chemistry early in the season with a revamped roster. However, missing key players has complicated their rotation and made winning difficult.
Jalen Green scored 29 points in his Phoenix debut, while Devin Booker added 24 as the Suns defeated the Clippers, who played without stars Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.
Key Players and Performance
- Ivica Zubac led the Clippers with 23 points and 11 rebounds.
- The Clippers held a 51-48 halftime lead before losing momentum in the third quarter.
- Cam Christon contributed 17 points off the bench, John Collins scored 13, and Bogdan Bogdanovic added 12.
Player Absences
- James Harden (23.3 points per game) missed the game due to personal reasons.
- Kawhi Leonard (24.3 points per game) was sidelined with a right ankle sprain.
Jalen Green’s Impact
Green, a guard who missed the Suns' first eight games recovering from a right hamstring strain, played 23 minutes. He shot 10 of 20 from the field, including 6 of 13 from three-point range, helping Phoenix make 19 threes, just one shy 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 Suns capitalized on their strong third quarter to secure the win, leaving the Clippers still searching for consistency.
Author's summary: The Clippers' depleted roster struggled to maintain their early lead against a hot-shooting Suns team, resulting in a third consecutive loss despite Ivica Zubac's strong effort.