The Los Angeles Clippers (51-28) earned a resounding 105-92 victory over the Phoenix Suns (46-33) on Tuesday night, capitalizing on a dominant first-quarter performance.
Russell Westbrook orchestrated the Clippers’ early surge with a triple-double, recording 16 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists, marking his first triple-double of the season and 199th of his career.
The Clippers’ commanding victory was marred by the absence of James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, yet they showcased their depth with standout performances from Paul George, who led the team with 23 points, and Ivica Zubac, who contributed 17 points and 13 rebounds.
Phoenix, vying to avoid the Western Conference play-in tournament, struggled immensely in the first quarter, shooting a dismal 2 of 19 from the field and falling behind 35-4 in less than 10 minutes.
Despite a late rally in the fourth quarter, spearheaded by Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, who combined for 40 points, the Suns failed to overcome the massive deficit established by the Clippers’ early dominance.
The Clippers’ victory extends their winning streak to four games and solidifies their playoff position, providing them with momentum as they prepare to face the Suns again in a crucial rematch on Wednesday.
Both teams were hampered by injuries, with the Clippers missing key players Harden and Leonard, and the Suns playing without starting center Jusuf Nurkic, who sat out due to a sprained right ankle.
