Jalen Green made a strong Phoenix debut, scoring 29 points as the Suns beat the Clippers 115-102 on Thursday night at the Mortgage Matchup Center. Green played 23 minutes after missing the first eight games with a right hamstring strain and shot 10 of 20 from the field, including 6 of 13 from three-point range.
Devin Booker added 24 points, while Grayson Allen contributed 18 despite playing through an illness. Mark Williams posted 13 points and nine rebounds, and Royce O’Neale had 17 points, including 11 in a third-quarter stretch that helped Phoenix take a 91-74 lead. The Suns improved to 4-5 with the win.
The Clippers were missing James Harden, out for personal reasons, and Kawhi Leonard, sidelined with a right ankle sprain. Ivica Zubac led Los Angeles with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Cam Christie scored 17 off the bench, John Collins had 13, and Bogdan Bogdanovic added 12. The loss dropped the Clippers to 3-5 on the season.
Bradley Beal returned to Phoenix but struggled, shooting 2 of 14 for five points. The veteran guard, who played two seasons in the city, faced boos throughout the game. Los Angeles never recovered after Phoenix extended its lead to 104-79 on Allen’s three-pointer with 7:53 remaining.
Green, acquired from Houston in the offseason as part of the seven-team trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Rockets, showed immediate impact on both ends of the floor. His performance marked a key milestone for Phoenix as they integrate their new roster into the 2025-26 season.
The Clippers will look to rebound when the teams meet again on Saturday night in Inglewood, California. The Suns hope to build momentum from Green’s debut and their third-quarter surge.
