INGLEWOOD. — It wasn’t the start the Los Angeles Clippers had hoped for to open their 2024-25 NBA season in front of a caapacity crowd of 18,330 at the newly-opened Intuit Dome.
But the Phoenix Suns were happy to assume the role of spoilers.
Kevin Durant scored 25 points, Bradley Beal finished with 24 while Devin Booker chipped in 15 to lift Phoenix to a 116-113 overtime victory Wednesay night in Inglewood, California where the Showtime Lakers of the late 80s used to play.
It was a successful debut for coach Mike Budenholzer who replaced Frank Vogel during the off-season as the Suns shot 48.7 percent from the field (38-of-78) and 39.5 percent from three (15-of-38).
Besides their Big Three, the Suns also got significant contributions from starters Jusef Nurkic (11 points, 9 rebounds) and Tyus Jones (11 points, 8 assists). Royce O’Neal and Mason Plumlee combined for 13 off the bench.
Kawhi Leonard did not play for the Clippers, who were led by James Harden’s had 29 points and 12 rebounds, but The Beard bungled an opportunity to send the game into double overtime by missing the second of two free throws with 4.8 seconds left in the first extension.
Ivica Zubac finishe with 21 points for the Clippers while former Dallas Maverick Derrick Jones Jr, added 12. The Clippers, however, shot just 45.7 percent from the field and 27.6 percent from 3. It was a disappointing loss for the Clippers who led 99-90 late in the fourtj quarter where they surrendered 11 unaswered Suns’ spurt.
The Suns face the Lakers on Friday at the Crypto.com while the Clippers host the Kings at Intuit Dome the next day.
