Clippers Rout Suns, Extend Winning Streak
PHOENIX – Kawhi Leonard scored 25 points and the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Phoenix Suns 117-93 on Sunday night, . The Clippers, playing without James Harden, dominated the inside game, outscoring the Suns 64-18 in the paint and winning the rebounding battle 63-35.
Leonard added eight rebounds in his 27th consecutive game with 20 or more points. Ivica Zubac contributed 14 points and a season-high 20 rebounds, securing his 24th double-double of the season. Jordan Miller scored 20 points, while John Collins added 16 and Kobe Sanders chipped in with 12.
Sanders started in place of Harden, who was unavailable for personal reasons. The Clippers shot 51.8% from the field overall.
The game began as a back-and-forth contest, with the Suns initially containing Leonard and Zubac. However, the Clippers’ supporting cast, particularly Collins and Sanders, combined for 11 points in the first quarter, allowing Los Angeles to lead 24-20 after the first 12 minutes.
A 15-2 run in the second quarter helped the Clippers extend their lead. Despite seven first-half turnovers by Phoenix, the Suns remained within striking distance, aided by their three-point shooting and the Clippers’ frequent trips to the free-throw line – Los Angeles earned 34 free throw attempts on the night.
Coming out of halftime with a 49-43 lead, the Clippers continued to control the paint. As the Suns’ shooting struggled, falling to 33% from the field, the Clippers pulled away. Phoenix was held under 100 points for only the sixth time in 50 games this season.
Grayson Allen led the Suns with 23 points and eight assists, while Dillon Brooks scored 22 points. Jordan Goodwin added 12 points off the bench. Phoenix was without Devin Booker, who is sidelined with a right ankle sprain, and Jalen Green, who is dealing with a right hamstring and left hip injury. Booker was named a Western Conference All-Star reserve earlier on Sunday.
The Clippers have now won 17 of their last 21 games after starting the season with a 6-21 record. They are now just two games under .500.
The Suns, who had won three straight games, are 15-7 since December 21. The teams split the season series 2-2.
The Clippers will next host the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night. The Suns will travel to Portland to face the Trail Blazers on Tuesday night.
