INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Devin Booker exploded for 40 points, with Kevin Durant contributing 18, as the Phoenix Suns overcame a 21-point deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers 125-119 on Thursday night.
Booker hit a clutch corner three with 5:15 left, giving Phoenix a 108-105 lead. The Suns piled up 73 points in the second half, securing their second win at the Clippers’ new arena within just over a week.
Booker and Durant surged in the third quarter, combining for 20 points to spark the comeback. Contributions from Royce O’Neale, with 21 points, and Ryan Dunn, adding 16, included key three-pointers in the final stretch.
James Harden delivered 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 13 assists for the Clippers, but Los Angeles stumbled late, losing a close game for the second consecutive night following a narrow defeat in Portland.
Takeaways
Suns: Despite missing Bradley Beal due to an elbow injury, Phoenix capitalized on a powerful second-half performance to compensate for their absent star.
Clippers: Strong ball movement and minimal turnovers in the first half unraveled into stagnant and sloppy play, costing them a winnable game.
Key Moment
A pivotal play came when Harden lost control of the ball in the paint, allowing Durant to pass to Booker for the go-ahead shot. This was one of eight Clippers turnovers in the second half.
Key Stat
After an 11-0 deficit in the first quarter, the Suns dominated fast-break opportunities, outscoring the Clippers 21-5 in transition for the remainder of the game.