The Los Angeles Clippers opened their new home, Intuit Dome, with a 116-113 overtime loss to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night. Kevin Durant led the Suns with 25 points, while Bradley Beal added 24 in the season opener for both teams.
James Harden paced the Clippers with 29 points and 12 rebounds, nearly forcing double overtime, but missed a crucial free throw with 4.8 seconds remaining. Jusuf Nurkic extended the Suns’ lead to three with two late free throws, and Grayson Allen sealed the game by forcing a turnover on the Clippers’ final possession.
Ivica Zubac had 21 points for Los Angeles but fouled out with 2:15 left in overtime, leaving a significant gap in the Clippers’ defense during the closing moments. Despite outrebounding the Suns and dominating points in the paint, the Clippers couldn’t close the game out.
The Clippers led by nine points in the fourth quarter but saw that advantage evaporate when Phoenix went on an 11-0 run. Devin Booker contributed four points during the run but fouled out with just over a minute left in regulation. Harden briefly restored the Clippers’ lead with four straight points, but Durant tied the game with a jumper, sending it to overtime.
Mike Budenholzer earned his first win as Phoenix’s head coach in his debut. Despite turnovers and foul trouble, the Suns capitalized on crucial possessions in overtime to spoil the Clippers’ first game in their new arena.
The Clippers made history with Norman Powell scoring the first-ever basket at Intuit Dome, hitting a jumper just 17 seconds into the game. Los Angeles also controlled the paint, outscoring Phoenix 62-42 inside, but Zubac’s absence in overtime made it difficult for them to finish strong.
Durant and Beal led the Suns in scoring, while Nurkic added 11 points, nine rebounds, and two steals. Booker contributed 15 points and six assists before fouling out. Allen, who made key defensive plays in overtime, chipped in with eight points off the bench.
Los Angeles received key contributions from their bench as well, with Amir Coffey scoring 11 points and Kai Jones adding six. However, turnovers and missed opportunities in overtime cost them the game. Harden, who made several clutch plays late in regulation, struggled with free throws in the closing moments, missing a crucial chance to extend the game.
