Clippers’ Late Rally Falls Short in Loss to Suns
Ivica Zubac led the Clippers with 21 points and 15 rebounds, while John Collins contributed 19 points in their 114-103 defeat. Kawhi Leonard missed his third consecutive game due to a sprained ankle.
Team Struggles and Needed Improvements
The Clippers showed resilience but still face challenges. Coach Tyronn Lue emphasized the need to improve defense, build stronger team chemistry, and reduce turnovers to rise above a .500 record.
“We got to play better,” Tyronn Lue said. “We got to do things better, starting with the coaches and everybody. We all gotta to look ourselves in the mirror.”
Game Recap
The team fought hard to overcome an 18-point deficit but ultimately fell short against the Phoenix Suns at the Intuit Dome, marking 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.”
The Clippers nearly avenged their prior defeat to the Suns. Trailing 104-96 late in the game, Kris Dunn scored a layup and James Harden added a free throw following a technical foul, narrowing the gap to 104-99, but they couldn't complete the comeback.
Summary
The Clippers' effort was commendable, yet ongoing injuries and turnovers continue to limit their progress in the season.
Author’s summary: The Clippers remain resilient but must fix defensive lapses and turnovers to overcome setbacks and improve their standing.