Who: Phoenix Suns (30–19) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (22–25)
When: 6:00pm Arizona Time
Where: Mortgage Matchup Center — Phoenix, Arizona
Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports, NBATV
Listen: KMVP 98.7
Another Sunday, another game together, this time against the Clippers, the fourth and final matchup of the season between these two teams. In the first one, Phoenix got completely outplayed by Harden and company, before bouncing back twice in a row (yes, the Clippers were without Kawhi, but
remember: those were Jalen Green’s first games of the season).
In terms of momentum, both teams are rolling, with the Clippers being 16–4 over their last 20 games (best stretch in the league right now). The Suns are 14–6, which is just as impressive, especially after beating the Pistons and Cavs in a back‑to‑back this week, plus two wins over the Knicks and one over the Thunder in January. This matchup has everything to be a great one.
Probable Starters
Injury Report
Suns
- Devin Booker — OUT (Right Ankle Sprain)
- Jalen Green — OUT (Right Hamstring Management, Left Hip Contusion)
Clippers
- James Harden — OUT (Personal Reasons)
- Bradley Beal — OUT (Left Hip Fracture)
- Chris Paul — OUT (Team did him dirty)
- Derrick Jones, Jr — OUT (Right Knee Sprain)
What to Watch For
This Suns–Clippers game is worth watching simply because it’s already the fourth meeting between the two teams this season. Phoenix leads the series 2–1, and a real competitive tension has built up over the previous matchups. Both franchises share the same division, face each other constantly, and sit in similar areas of the standings, which means every duel carries extra weight. A win counts double: one for you, one against a direct rival.
It’s also a chance to see a gathering of stars who live for big moments, although there are some pricey names on the injured list. But we’ll still see Kawhi Leonard, Ivica Zubac, Dillon Brooks, and Mark Williams. Some of them play the same positions, which gives us a true clash of styles — sword, axe, and shield. And let’s not forget the role players; without them, neither team would be where they are today.
And then there’s this feeling that Phoenix is reaching a subtle turning point in its season. Nothing dramatic, nothing urgent, but a moment where you sense the team can send a message to the entire NBA sphere: “We can be consistent. We can be serious. We can be dangerous over time.” Stringing together wins over the Pistons, Cavs, and Clippers would be a statement. This game is an opportunity to prove it, and that alone makes it worth watching.
Keys to a Suns Win
Defense will be one of the main factors in Phoenix’s success against the Clippers, but it won’t be easy.
In the last matchup, the Suns only had to deal with James Harden and his connection with the bigs in pick‑and‑roll, and even then, L.A. struggled to find rhythm. Now, they’ll also have to handle Kawhi Leonard, who’s playing at one of the highest levels of his career. You can’t let him get comfortable. To succeed, Phoenix will need to communicate, trap at the right moments, and rotate quickly to avoid getting punished on the weak side.
The win will also depend on hustle and physical intensity. The Clippers are older. Phoenix needs to hit them, set big screens, and show they’re here to compete. Dive on loose balls, capitalize on every turnover, because this is a team that still has offensive sloppiness in its DNA. But above all, the Suns need to play fast. Really fast. As mentioned, L.A. isn’t the most mobile team with Zubac, Brook Lopez, and Nicolas Batum. None of them are built for a track meet. Transition and early‑clock offense should be major weapons.
Prediction
Riding the momentum of this strong week, I see the Suns taking this one. Not easily, but without panic in the final minutes either. Grayson Allen has the hot hand right now, so why not a big performance from him to carry Phoenix?
Suns 114, Clippers 102
