PHOENIX — Kevin Durant scored 19 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 23-point comeback win over the Los Angeles Clippers, 119-117.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Phoenix outscored the Clippers 43-22 in the final period to make its miraculous comeback. End-of-bench reserve Collin Gillespie played all but three seconds in the quarter and scored an instrumental 10 points and was a plus-21 on the night. Durant was the only Sun to score over 17 points.
Ivica Zubac erupted for 35 points and 10 rebounds in Los Angeles’ efforts. Kawhi Leonard and James Harden each added 21 points.
This was a huge win for the Suns (29-33). Any life they had left this season was thrown out on the court to get this victory. They now open a four-game road trip against the Denver Nuggets on Friday.
Clippers exhaust Suns in 3rd quarter
Suns fans rained down boos nearly every break as Phoenix continued to appear deflated in the third quarter, not gaining any traction to cut the lead ahead of the fourth quarter, 95-76.
Devin Booker and Kevin Durant finally saw some shots go through in the period, scoring eight and seven points respectively. However, the stars didn’t get much from their teammates as Bradley Beal was ruled out for the rest of the game with left calf soreness.
Ivica Zubac scored 10 of his 25 points in the third period, coupled with eight rebounds on 12-of-13 shooting. Los Angeles had four more players in double figures including Kawhi Leonard with 19 and James Harden with 16.
Mar 4, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) shoots against LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first half at PHX Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Suns outscored 41-19 in 2nd quarter
Similar to Sunday’s matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix’s momentum vanished in the second quarter. They scored just 19 points in the period while the Clippers pushed down on the gas to take the lead into halftime, 65-49.
The Suns’ offense was quiet in the first half. Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal combined for just 14 points. Nick Richards led the team with 10 points and four rebounds on 5-of-5 shooting. Royce O’Neale followed with nine points on three 3s.
Los Angeles had three players score in double figures; Ivica Zubac with 15 points and seven rebounds, Bogdan Bogdanovic with 13 points on 3-for-3 shooting from deep and Kawhi Leonard with 11 points that included a monstrous poster dunk midway through the quarter.
Mar 4, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; LA Clippers guard Bogdan Bogdanovic (10) shoots against Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) during the first half at PHX Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Suns find late momentum in 1st quarter
Mason Plumlee caught a lob dunk over Drew Eubanks followed by a steal off the Clippers’ inbounds pass that led to Plumlee tip passing to Royce O’Neale for a 3-pointer with 0.2 seconds left to put the Suns in the lead 30-24.
Turnovers plagued Phoenix early, committing five in the opening quarter. But O’Neale and Plumlee sparked a momentous run off the bench, leading the team with six points each. Kevin Durant was right behind them with five points on 1-of-4 shooting.
Bogdan Bogdanovic and Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with six points each. Ivica Zubac picked up two early fouls and had to be subbed out midway through the period, opening the gates for Phoenix to attack the paint while Los Angeles was down an elite defender.
Mar 4, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) takes a pass from Phoenix Suns center Bol Bol (11) against LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first half at PHX Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Injury report
Bradley Beal was questionable entering the game with left calf injury management but went through pregame testing and was made available. Cody Martin (sports hernia) was out yet again. Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said pregame that there were no updates on Martin’s injury and that he is still “progressing.”
For Los Angeles, Derrick Jones Jr. (right groin strain), Norman Powell (right hamstring strain) and Ben Simmons (left knee soreness) were all out.
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Reporter Connor Moreno covers the Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @cmorenoNBA, and on Bluesky, @cloading.bsky.social
