PHOENIX Suns opened the 2024-25 NBA Season with a 116-113 overtime win against Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night (Thursday in the Philippines) at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
Kevin Durant took over the scoring for the Suns with 25 points to go with seven rebounds and three steals, while Bradley Beal backed him up with 24 markers.
Devin Booker finished with 15 points before fouling out late in the fourth quarter, while Jusuf Nurkic and Tyus Jones contributed 11 markers apiece for the Suns.
Down 79-88 midway through the fourth quarter, the Suns slowly clawed their way back behind conversions from Durant, Jones, and Booker to take a 101-99 lead on a three-point play by Durant.
James Harden responded with a layup and two free throws to surge the Clippers on top at 103-101 but Durant knocked down a perimeter basket to force an overtime.
In the extension period, the Suns surged to a 114-110 advantage on conversions from Beal and free throws by Nurkic, but the Clippers cut it to 112-114 on a layup by Norman Powell.
With four seconds left, Harden had a chance to tie the score but he only split his free throws. Nurkic increased the lead to 116-113 with his two free throws before Harden turned the ball over to end the game.
Harden finished with 29 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists to lead the Clippers, Ivica Zubac added 21 markers, while Powell, Derrick Jones Jr., and Amir Coffey tallied 17, 12, and 11, respectively.
Meanwhile, Buddy Hield provided instant impact, while Stephen Curry had a near triple-double performance as Golden State Warriors walloped Portland Trail Blazers, 139-104.
Hield, who was acquired via sign-and-trade from the Philadelphia 76ers, finished with 22 points, including five three-pointers, while Curry ended with 17 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds./PN
BOX SCORE:
PHOENIX 116 — Durant 25, Beal 24, Booker 15, Jones 11, Nurkic 11, Allen 8, Plumlee 8, O’Neale 5, Morris 5, Dunn 2, Ighodaro 2.
LOS ANGELES 113 — Harden 29, Zubac 21, Powell 17, D. Jones 12, Coffey 11, Mann 8, K. Jones 6, Dunn 5, Batum 2, Porter 2.
Quarterscores: 23-22, 47-39, 72-74, 103-103, 116-113.
