Clippers’ late rally fizzles out in loss to Suns

Clippers’ Late Rally Fizzles Out in Loss to Suns

Ivica Zubac led the Clippers with 21 points and 15 rebounds, while John Collins contributed 19 points in the short-handed team’s 114-103 defeat to the Phoenix Suns. Kawhi Leonard missed his third consecutive game due to a sprain.

Coach Tyronn Lue Emphasizes Need for Improvement

Coach Tyronn Lue stressed the importance of better performance on both ends of the court. He noted the necessity to enhance defense, build stronger team chemistry, and reduce turnovers to climb above a .500 record.

“We got to play better,” Coach Tyronn Lue said. “We got to do things better, starting with the coaches and everybody. We all gotta to look ourselves in the mirror.”

Persistent Challenges and Injuries

The Clippers continue to face internal challenges, including injuries and falling behind by large margins. They battled back from an 18-point deficit on Saturday but ultimately couldn’t overcome the Suns at the Intuit Dome.

Game Summary

Saturday’s loss to Phoenix marked the Clippers’ fourth consecutive defeat and third straight loss at home. Despite the setback, the team showed resilience in fighting back late in the game.

“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.”

In the game’s closing moments, with the Clippers trailing 104-96, Kris Dunn scored a layup, and James Harden followed with a free throw after a technical foul to narrow the gap to 104-99, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.

Key Players’ Stats

Ivica Zubac: 21 points, 15 rebounds
John Collins: 19 points
Kawhi Leonard: Absent (third straight game due to sprain)

Summary: The Clippers battled hard but fell short against the Suns, highlighting the urgent need for better defense, chemistry, and fewer turnovers to improve their struggling season.

Los Angeles Daily News — 2025-11-09