The Clippers are back in the win column, and it was a dominant performance! The Los Angeles Clippers have officially snapped their recent skid, reasserting their strength with a decisive 117-93 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night. This win was particularly impressive as the Clippers managed to secure it even without the presence of star player James Harden.
Leading the charge was Kawhi Leonard, who put on a spectacular offensive display, scoring 25 points. What's truly remarkable is that this marks his 27th consecutive game where he's managed to put up 20 or more points, a testament to his incredible consistency. Leonard also contributed significantly on the boards, grabbing eight rebounds. But here's where it gets interesting: Leonard was notably left off the Western Conference All-Star reserves list announced earlier that same day.
Beyond Leonard's brilliance, the Clippers absolutely dominated the paint. Ivica Zubac was a force to be reckoned with, pulling down an incredible 20 rebounds. This inside presence was key to their success, as the Clippers outrebounded the Suns a staggering 63-35 and outscored them 64-18 in the paint. This crucial advantage helped them bounce back from their recent loss in Denver.
Other notable offensive contributions came from Jordan Miller, who chipped in 20 points, John Collins with 16 points, Zubac adding 14 points, and Kobe Sanders with 12 points. Sanders actually stepped into the starting lineup for Harden, who was absent for personal reasons. The team's overall offensive efficiency was on point, shooting a solid 51.8% from the field.
It's quite a turnaround for the Clippers, who have transformed their season. After a tough start where they were 6-21, they've now won an impressive 17 out of their last 21 games. They're now just two games shy of reaching a .500 winning percentage.
On the other side, the Phoenix Suns, who had been on a roll with three consecutive wins heading into this game, struggled significantly. Grayson Allen was their top scorer with 23 points and eight assists, while Dillon Brooks added 22 points. However, the Suns' offense just couldn't find its rhythm, shooting a dismal 33.3% from the field. This was only the sixth time in 50 games this season that they've been held under 100 points. Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin both managed 12 points for the Suns.
And this is the part most people miss: the Suns were significantly hampered by injuries. They were playing without Devin Booker, who is nursing a right ankle sprain, and Jalen Green, dealing with a right hamstring and left hip issue. Booker, who was just named an All-Star reserve for the fifth time, was a major absence.
Ultimately, the season series between these two teams ended up tied at 2-2.
What's next for these teams?
- The Clippers will be back on their home court, hosting Philadelphia on Monday night.
- The Suns will be on the road, traveling to face Portland on Tuesday night.
Now, over to you! What do you think about Kawhi Leonard's consistent scoring, especially given his All-Star snub? And how much of a difference do you think injuries made for the Suns in this matchup? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
