In a commanding performance, Kawhi Leonard scored 25 points, leading the Los Angeles Clippers to a decisive 117-93 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night. This win came during a game where the Clippers were missing star player James Harden, who was absent due to personal reasons.
Leonard's impressive outing included not only his 25 points but also eight rebounds, marking his 27th consecutive game in which he has scored at least 20 points. Meanwhile, Ivica Zubac showcased his dominance on the boards, pulling down an astounding 20 rebounds, contributing significantly to the Clippers’ strong presence in the paint. The Clippers managed to bounce back from a recent loss to Denver, clearly dominating the rebounding battle by a staggering margin of 63-35, while also outscoring the Suns 64-18 in the paint, illustrating their control of the game.
Other notable contributions came from Jordan Miller, who added 20 points; John Collins with 16 points; Zubac with 14 points; and Kobe Sanders, who filled in for Harden and scored 12 points. The Clippers demonstrated their shooting prowess as well, finishing the game with an impressive field goal percentage of 51.8%.
Since a challenging start to the season at 6-21, the Clippers have made an impressive turnaround, winning 17 of their last 21 games and bringing their record to just two games below .500. On the other hand, the Suns had been riding a three-game winning streak prior to this defeat, maintaining a solid record of 15-7 since December 21.
For the Suns, Grayson Allen led the team in scoring with 23 points and contributed eight assists, while Dillon Brooks added 22 points to the tally. However, the Suns struggled offensively, shooting only 33.3% from the field, and this marked the sixth time they failed to reach the 100-point mark in their 50 games this season. Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin each chipped in with 12 points.
The Suns were notably without key players Devin Booker, who is sidelined due to a right ankle sprain, and Jalen Green, who is dealing with issues in both his right hamstring and left hip. Earlier that day, Booker had been named a reserve for his fifth All-Star Game.
This game concluded the season series between these two teams, ending with each side winning two games.
Looking forward, the Clippers will host the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night, while the Suns will travel to face the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night.
