The Phoenix Suns face a tough opponent to kick the week off.
Who: Phoenix Suns (23-21) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (26-19)
When: 7:30 pm Arizona Time
Where: Footprint Center — Phoenix, Arizona
Watch: AZFamily, Suns Live, NBATV
Listen: KMVP 98.7
The Suns will look to block out the outside noise and secure a much-needed win against a tough divisional foe.
Phoenix secured a 119-109 win against the Wizards led by Durant, Booker, and Richards in his near 20-20 game. They’ve had a relatively easy schedule of late, and now it starts to pick up a bit with their upcoming three-game stretch against the Clippers, Wolves, and Warriors.
With the Jusuf Nurkic story dropping and Jimmy Butler rumors swirling, there is no shortage of distractions.
Phoenix will be without standout rookie Ryan Dunn, who has an ankle sprain. They could’ve used him against this tough Clippers squad that has won two in a row and has Kawhi Leonard back in action.
This marks the third meeting between the teams, with the first two contests coming in October at the Clippers’ new home. The Suns won both games, but those were without Kawhi Leonard who will be suiting up for LA tonight.
The Clippers will be a tough test for Phoenix tonight.
Suns are 2-0 against LAC this year – both games in October at the Intuit Dome.
Clippers are 6-1 with Kawhi this season. Harden, Powell, and Kawhi are a handful.
They could have really used Ryan Dunn in a game like this.
— Zona (@AZSportsZone) January 27, 2025
Probable Starters
Phoenix Suns (23-21) have used 19 different starting lineups this season.
Will likely roll out 20th Monday vs. L.A. Clippers (26-19) as Ryan Dunn out with left ankle sprain.
Figure Bradley Beal will start for Dunn. Beal has never started a game with Richards in lineup. #Suns pic.twitter.com/IJC3eDSIzX
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 27, 2025
Injury Report
Suns
- Ryan Dunn — Ankle (OUT)
Clippers
- Kris Dunn — Knee (OUT)
- Jordan Miller — Illness (OUT)
- Cam Christie — Ankle (OUT)
- PJ Tucker — Personal (OUT)
Uniform Matchup
What to Watch For
Backcourt Battle
The Clippers dynamic duo of James Harden and Norman Powell exploded for a combined 73 points in their win against the Bucks a couple of days ago.
Phoenix’s backcourt of Jones/Booker/Beal will need to rise to the occasion against this duo. The defensive matchups will be interesting to monitor since the Clippers are a bigger team across the board.
With Ryan Dunn sidelined, the Suns will be relying quite a bit on Booker and Beal to defend that backcourt. Royce O’Neale and Kevin Durant can assist with Kawhi, but overall it’s a tough matchup for the Suns. I expect them to struggle with those individual assignments. It’s going to take a team effort defensively.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Zubac vs. Richards
This will be one of the most important sub-matchups of this game. Forget the stars.
Let’s talk bigs. Zubac has put together an impressive season, especially on the glass. He is 4th in the NBA in rebounds per game at 12.5. Along with his work on the glass, he’s shooting an efficient 61% from the field while averaging a career-high 14.9 points per game.
He’s been a handful on the interior for opponents all season long. Luckily, the Suns added some center help in the form of Nick Richards. Richards is averaging 13.2 points, and 12.2 rebounds per game while shooting nearly 68% from the field.
Outside of the dud against Cleveland, he has been a force for the Suns during his first four games. His 20-point, 19-rebound performance against the Wizards was a great sign. Let’s hope that momentum pours over into his matchup against Zubac.
He’ll need to avoid foul trouble in this one.
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Kawhi’s Clippers
The Clippers have been a strong team without Kawhi Leonard this season. Now with this return, the team is 6-1 in the seven games he’s played in and they have looked like a force in those games.
The LA Clippers with Kawhi Leonard this season:
Record: 6-1
117.9 PPG
98.6 opponent PPG
40.9% opponent FG%
31.9% opponent 3PT% pic.twitter.com/ZTVaCgqGwZ— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 27, 2025
Despite losing Paul George, the Clippers seem to be just as dangerous. Norman Powell has picked up the slack and then some offensively and Derrick Jones Jr. has been a strong addition.
Ty Lue coaches them well, we all know this. It will be a dog fight… and maybe, just maybe that’s what the Suns need to secure a marquee win.
Key to a Suns Win
The energy needs to be high. The defensive effort must be present. If those two things are not there, this could get ugly.
The Suns could use this game looking at the Western Conference standings. Sure, they’ve won 7 of their last 9 games, but these are games they need to stay afloat in the ultra-competitive West.
Prediction
The Suns need to prove to us they can beat good teams. I want to have faith, but the Clippers are a tough matchup.
Clippers 119, Suns 113
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