Spokesman-Review
National Basketball Association
Phoenix 116, L.A. Clippers 113
When: 10:00 PM ET, Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Where: Intuit Dome, Inglewood, California
Officials: #10 John Goble, #3 Nick Buchert, #52 Scott Twardoski
Attendance: 17927

Kevin Durant scored 25 points, including a game-tying jumper with 21.2 seconds remaining in regulation, as the visiting Phoenix Suns pulled off a 116-113 overtime victory in the regular-season debut of the Los Angeles Clippers' $2 billion arena at Inglewood, Calif.

Phoenix's Bradley Beal scored 24 points and Devin Booker added 15 before he fouled out late in regulation. Booker came to life late after scoring just six points through three quarters as the Suns won in the debut of new head coach Mike Budenholzer.

James Harden compiled 29 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists for the Clippers but missed a game-tying free-throw attempt with 4.8 seconds remaining in overtime. Ivica Zubac scored 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds for Los Angeles before he fouled out in the extra period, while Norman Powell had 17 points.

The Clippers had a chance at a game-tying 3-pointer in the closing seconds of overtime, but Harden's eighth turnover of the night ended any chance of a second overtime.

The Clippers were without star Kawhi Leonard, who is out indefinitely with a knee injury.

The Suns used an 11-0 run to take a 101-99 lead with 1:39 remaining in regulation. Harden ended the run by hitting a step-back jumper with 1:14 on the clock to tie the game 101-all. Harden then converted two free throws with 41.5 seconds remaining after a foul by Durant for a 103-101 Clippers lead.

Durant's fadeaway jumper with 21.2 seconds left tied the game at 103-all before Harden's left-handed floater in traffic bounced off the front of the rim at the buzzer to send the game into OT.

The Clippers trailed by as many 14 points in the second quarter and were down 47-39 at halftime before turning a relentless defense into an 88-79 lead with 7:27 remaining.

The Suns took a 23-22 lead after the opening period and took charge in the second quarter by holding Los Angeles to 33.3 percent shooting, including 1 of 7 from 3-point range.

After scoring just four points in the first half on 2-of-11 shooting, Harden, 35, asserted himself in the third quarter when he went 5 of 9 from the floor and 2 of 3 from 3-point range. The Clippers went into the fourth quarter with a 74-72 advantage.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Phoenix   L.A. Clippers
Kevin Durant 25 Scoring James Harden 29
Tyus Jones 8 Assists James Harden 8
Jusuf Nurkic 9 Rebounds James Harden 12
Kevin Durant 7 Free Throws Made James Harden 7
Kevin Durant 3 Steals Kris Dunn 2
Grayson Allen 1 Blocks Norman Powell 1
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Phoenix 116 48.7 15-38 25-34 25 42 9 12 22
L.A. Clippers 113 45.7 8-29 21-30 27 51 1 9 22
Upcoming Games
  • L.A. Clippers will play their next game on the road against Denver. The Clippers have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.
  • Phoenix will play their next game on the road against L.A. Lakers. The Suns have a W/L % of .000 after a win and 1.000 after a loss.