Clippers’ Late Rally Fizzles Out in Loss to Suns
Ivica Zubac led the Clippers with 21 points and 15 rebounds, while John Collins added 19. Despite their efforts, the short-handed team fell to the Phoenix Suns, 114-103.
Kawhi Leonard Still Sidelined
Kawhi Leonard missed his third consecutive game due to a sprained injury, adding to the Clippers’ ongoing struggle with maintaining a full roster.
Coach Tyronn Lue Calls for Renewal
“We got to play better,” Coach Tyronn Lue said. “We got to do things better, starting with the coaches and everybody. We all gotta look ourselves in the mirror.”
Lue emphasized accountability across the organization, noting that both the coaching staff and players must step up their performance.
Defensive Issues and Turnovers Trouble the Team
The Clippers, who currently hover around a .500 record, continue to struggle with defense, turnovers, and overall team cohesion. They often put themselves in early double-digit deficits that prove difficult to overcome.
Fight and Effort But Still Short
On Saturday night in Inglewood, the Clippers managed to climb out of an 18-point deficit at the Intuit Dome but once again couldn’t close the gap. It marked their fourth straight loss and third consecutive home defeat.
“When it gets tough, we got to get tougher and so I liked our fight back,” Lue said. “I thought we did a good job of not letting go of the rope tonight.”
Down 104-96 late in the game, Kris Dunn scored on a layup and James Harden added a free throw following a technical foul to reduce the deficit to 104-99, but the comeback fell short.
Author’s Summary
The Clippers displayed resolve in a 114-103 defeat to the Suns, but defensive lapses and missing key players like Leonard kept them from reversing their losing streak.