PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns dropped their first game of the season, losing 129-102 to the reeling Los Angeles Clippers in the Intuit Dome.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Dillon Brooks led the way for Phoenix with 21 points on 7-of-17 shooting. Devin Booker followed with 18 points, three rebounds and seven assists, shooting just 10 shots.
James Harden and Kawhi Leonard starred for the Clips. Harden carved up Phoenix’s defense with 30 points, seven rebounds and seven assists on 8-of-12 shooting.
Leonard, despite struggling from the field (11-of-21 FG), finished with 27 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Oct 24, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) steals the ball from Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) and goes down court for a basket in the first half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Phoenix (1-1) opens a three-game road trip with a loss against a Clippers team that desperately needed to bounce back after an opening-night loss to the Utah Jazz. With that being said, let’s get into a couple of takeaways from the loss.
The Suns need Jalen Green
Much like Phoenix’s season opener against Sacramento, Jalen Green’s absence was felt.
The Suns often had to rely on players like Dillon Brooks, Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale to generate quality offensive looks as the Clippers’ defense keyed in on Booker.
Oct 24, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) and Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) battle for a loose ball in the first half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
As a result, Brooks shot 7-for-17, Allen shot 4-for-12 and O’Neale shot 4-for-11, because they were forced to shoot shots they don’t normally shoot.
Insert Green into the lineup, and the stalled, late shot clock offensive possessions are more dynamic with another elite scorer on the floor.
Green, according to coach Jordan Ott, will be out for the remained of the road trip with a right hamstring strain. Once Phoenix returns, they should have a better update.
Nights like this will happen, don’t be discouraged
It’s the NBA. Sometimes teams will have the Suns’ number. Tonight was one of those nights. Stepping back and observing, the odds were really stacked against Phoenix.
Oct 24, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center Brook Lopez (11) talks with guard Kris Dunn (8) and guard James Harden (1) in the first half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The Clippers, a veteran group and a roster filled with current and past All-Stars, came into their home opener hungry off an embarrassing loss to a Jazz team widely projected to finish with the worst record in the league.
Not to mention, Intuit Dome is arguably the only arena in the NBA that gives Los Angeles a true, tangible home court advantage.
Phoenix was outmatched and the Clippers desperately needed the win. It’s OK.
The Suns travel to Denver immediately to take on the Nuggets in their first back-to-back. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. MST.
Former Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal gets his revenge on Friday night
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