Devin Booker scored a season-high 40 points as the Phoenix Suns came back from a 21-point deficit in the third quarter to win 125-119 against the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday in Inglewood, California.
Royce O’Neale contributed 21 points, Kevin Durant added 18, rookie Ryan Dunn scored 16 in his second start, and Jusuf Nurkic had 11 points. This victory marked the Suns’ second win at the Clippers’ new $2 billion Intuit Dome in the last two weeks.
Phoenix started the second half by making 15 straight shots, which helped them extend their winning streak to three games.
James Harden scored 25 points, along with 13 assists and 10 rebounds, while Norman Powell contributed 23 points for the Clippers, who are now 0-3 in their new arena. Harden also became the 20th player in NBA history to reach over 26,000 career points.
Ivica Zubac scored 22 points and pulled down 12 rebounds, Kevin Porter Jr. added 14 points, and Derrick Jones Jr. chipped in 11 points for the Clippers, who previously lost to the Suns 116-113 in overtime during the opening of their new home on October 23.
The Clippers started strong and were ahead 37-18 late in the first quarter. They ended the first period with a 37-20 lead, shooting 61.5 percent from the field.
Phoenix managed to reduce the gap to eight points in the second quarter, but Los Angeles led 70-52 at halftime. James Harden had a double-double by halftime, scoring 13 points and making 10 assists, while the Clippers had a big edge in rebounds at 33-14.
The Suns made a strong comeback in the third quarter, tying the game at 89-89 with 3:16 left after a three-pointer from O’Neale. The Clippers ended the third quarter with a slight 93-91 lead.
Phoenix took the lead at 103-102 with 6:41 left when Dunn made a floater and never fell behind again. O’Neale sealed the game with a three-pointer with 44.7 seconds left, putting the Suns ahead 118-112.
The Clippers are still playing without their star player Kawhi Leonard, who is out indefinitely because of a long-term knee injury.
