Depleted Clippers fade after halftime in loss to Suns

Depleted Clippers Fade After Halftime in Loss to Suns

Ivica Zubac scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Clippers struggled without Kawhi Leonard and James Harden in a 115-102 defeat, their third consecutive loss. Phoenix dominated the third quarter, preventing the Clippers from recovering after holding a narrow 51-48 lead at halftime.

Game Highlights

Jalen Green made his Phoenix debut, scoring 29 points.
Devin Booker contributed 24 points for the Suns.
Cam Christie scored 17 points off the bench for the Clippers.
John Collins added 13 points and Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 12.

Player Absences

The Clippers played without stars Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. Leonard was sidelined with a right ankle sprain, and Harden missed the game due to personal reasons.

Performance Details

Jalen Green, who missed the Suns’ first eight games recovering from a right hamstring strain, played 23 minutes and shot 10 for 20 from the field, including 6 for 13 from three-point range. The Suns made 19 three-pointers, just one shy of their season high.

Roster Moves

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

"The Clippers were hoping to spend the early weeks of the season building chemistry and sorting through their rotation combinations with a revamped roster."

However, absences among their key players have made it difficult to build momentum and secure wins.

Author’s summary: The Clippers' depleted lineup led to a third straight loss as the Suns, fueled by Jalen Green’s strong debut and Phoenix’s third-quarter surge, took control after halftime.

Orange County Register — 2025-11-07