Kevin Durant scored 25 factors, together with a game-tying jumper with 21.2 seconds remaining in regulation, because the visiting Phoenix Suns pulled off a 116-113 additional time victory within the regular-season debut of the Los Angeles Clippers’ $2 billion enviornment at Inglewood, Calif.
Bradley Beal scored 24 factors and Devin Booker added 15 earlier than he fouled out late in regulation. Booker got here to life late after scoring simply six factors by way of three quarters as Phoenix gained within the debut of latest head coach Mike Budenholzer.
James Harden scored 29 factors with 12 rebounds and eight assists for the Clippers however missed a game-tying free-throw try with 4.8 seconds remaining in additional time. Ivica Zubac scored 21 factors with 9 rebounds for Los Angeles earlier than he fouled out within the additional interval, whereas Norman Powell had 17 factors.
The Clippers had an opportunity at a game-tying 3-pointer within the closing seconds of additional time however Harden’s turnover ended any likelihood of a second additional time.
The Clippers had been with out star Kawhi Leonard, who’s out indefinitely with a knee harm.
The Suns used an 11-0 run to take 101-99 with 1:39 remaining in regulation and Harden ended the run with a step-back jumper with 1:14 on the clock to tie the sport 101-all. Harden then transformed two free throws with 41.5 seconds remaining after a foul by Durant for a 103-101 Clippers lead.
Durant’s fadeaway jumper with 21.2 seconds left tied the sport at 103-all earlier than Harden’s left-handed floater in site visitors bounced off the entrance of the rim on the buzzer to ship the sport into OT.
The Clippers trailed by as many 14 factors within the second quarter and had been down 47-39 at halftime earlier than turning a relentless protection into an 88-79 lead with 7:27 remaining.
The Suns took a 23-22 lead after the opening interval and took cost within the second quarter by holding Los Angeles to 33.3 p.c capturing, together with 1 of seven from 3-point vary.
After scoring simply 4 factors within the first half on 2-of-11 capturing, the 35-year-old Harden asserted himself within the third quarter when he went 5 of 9 from the ground and a pair of of three from 3-point vary. The Clippers went into the fourth quarter with a 74-72 benefit.
–Subject Degree Media
