At 10 o'clock on October 24, Beijing time, in the 2024-25 NBA regular season, the Los Angeles Clippers will play the Phoenix Suns in the first game of the season at the new arena. After some competition, the Suns narrowly beat the Clippers 116-113 in overtime to get off to a good start. In this game, the Suns' big three combined for 64 points, and Harden won a quasi-triple-double (29 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists).

Statistics

Suns: Durant 25 points and 7 rebounds, Booker 15 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists, Beal 24 points and 3 rebounds, Tyus · Jones 11 points and 8 assists, Nurkic 11 points and 9 rebounds;

Clippers: Harden 29 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists, Powell 17 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, Coffey 11 points, Derrick · Jones 12 points, Zubac 21 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists;

Race moments

At the beginning of the game, the Clippers blossomed more on the offensive end, Powell, Harden, and Mann shot one after another, but the Suns quickly responded to the opponent's shots, Bealney burst out to score and Durant also hit a three-pointer, when Plumlee shot to score, the Suns 12-11. Powell pulled out a hand and hit a three-pointer, and Tyus · Jones quickly responded with a three-pointer. In the next period, the two sides alternated points on the offensive end through mid-to-long-range jumpers, counter-attacking layups and free throws, and when Durant made 2 fouls and 2 free throws, the two sides tied 18-18. Mann singled Booker on a difficult step-back jumper, Batum hit 2 of 2 free throws, and the Clippers tried to establish a lead, but the Suns scored five straight points. At the end of the first quarter, the Suns 23-22 Clippers.

Entering the second quarter, Porter countered with a dunk and Dunn hit a three-pointer, and the Clippers took a one-point lead at 27-26. However, the Clippers immediately felt cold and missed many shots, and the Suns seized the opportunity to instigate an onslaught, Allen, O'Neal, Booker and Beal took turns to shoot three-pointers, and Durant also hit a layup with the ball, and the Suns launched a wave of 14-0 to establish a lead. Zubac broke the scoring drought for the Clippers with a dunk. The Clippers gradually regained their shooting touch, Mann, Zubac, Dunn and Powell all shot to score points, but the Suns continued to feel the touch, Booker hit another three-pointer and Allen made 2 fouls and 2 free throws, and the Suns had a 10-point advantage at this time. At the end of the quarter, Powell singled out Booker for a difficult throw. At halftime, the Suns led the Clippers by eight points, 47-39.

In the rematch, Zubac and Harden scored consecutive points and Derrick · Jones countered with a layup, and the Clippers blasted a small scoring surge and instantly tied the score at 51-51. The Suns immediately tried to instigate a counterattack, but Harden stepped up to carry the banner of the Clippers' offense, first hit a three-pointer after hitting a 2+1 shot, and then assisted Zubac to complete a violent dunk, and the Clippers led by 5 points at 62-57. The Suns scored points on the offensive end through jump shots, free throws and inside balls, but Harden continued his hot hand and not only hit three-pointers but also made mid-range shots from the step-back, helping the Clippers maintain their lead. At the end of the third quarter, the Clippers held a two-point advantage, of which Harden scored 16 points in a single quarter.

In the final quarter of the battle, the Clippers burst out on the offensive end and scored a small climax, when Mann counterattacked and hit a layup, the Clippers 88-79, and the Suns were forced to call a timeout. After a timeout, Coffey's three-pointer helped the Clippers build a double-digit lead, and Booker responded with a three-pointer. The Suns instigated a new rally, but Coffey hit another three-pointer and Harden hit back-to-back shots to keep the Clippers in the lead. Immediately afterwards, Booker and Durant singled out Harden to shoot, and the Suns turned the situation around with a wave of scoring climaxes, and when Durant singled out Harden to score 2+1, the Suns scored 101-99. Booker left the court with six fouls. In the final period, Harden scored 4 points in a row, Durant immediately scored on a mid-range shot, and Harden missed the whistle to tie the ball 103-103, and the game went into overtime.

In overtime, Durant made 2 free throws and Derrick · hit a three-pointer, but Beal scored five straight points through a three-pointer and a free throw, and the Suns had a four-point advantage at this time. Then, the offensive end of the two sides alternated back and forth to score points, and the Suns were 114-110. Immediately afterwards, Powell broke through to score a layup, Harden made 1 of 2 free throws for a foul, Nurkic immediately made 2 free throws for 2, and Harden caught the ball at the moment of counting. In the end, the Suns narrowly beat the Clippers by 3 points.

Both sides start

Suns: Durant, Booker, Beal, Tyus · Jones, Nurkic;

Clippers: Harden, Powell, Mann, Derrick ·, Zubac;