Oct. 24, 2024 01:26 AM EST

Durant, Beal Lead Suns To 116-113 Ot Victory Over Clippers, Spoiling La's Intuit Dome Opener

By JOE REEDY
AP Sports Writer
Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal, left, drives against LA Clippers center Ivica Zubac, center, and guard James Harden during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun) Ryan Sun, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal, left, drives against LA Clippers center Ivica Zubac, center, and guard James Harden during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
LA Clippers guard Kris Dunn, left, guards Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, reacts while speaking to head coach Mike Budenholzer during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the LA Clippers, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
LA Clippers center Ivica Zubac, right, shoots against Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale celebrates after a three-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the LA Clippers, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
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INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Kevin Durant scored 25 points, Bradley Beal added 24 and the Phoenix Suns beat the Clippers 116-113 in overtime Wednesday night, spoiling Los Angeles' Intuit Dome debut in the opener for both teams.

James Harden had 29 points and 12 rebounds for the Clippers. He had a chance to send it to double overtime, but missed the second of two free throws with 4.8 seconds remaining.

Jusuf Nurkic gave the Suns a three-point advantage with a pair of free throws. The Clippers had one last chance to send it to another extra session, but Grayson Allen forced a turnover near midcourt after the inbounds pass.

Ivica Zubac had 21 points for the Clippers, but fouled out with 2:15 remaining in overtime.

Takeaways

Suns: Mike Budenholzer picked up the victory in his first game as Phoenix's coach and improved to 12-9 in his career against the Clippers.

Clippers: Norman Powell will go down as the player who made the first basket at Intuit Dome with his jumper 17 second into the game. ... LA had a 62-42 advantage in points in the paint and outrebounded the Suns by nine (51-42), but Zubac's foul trouble in overtime played a huge role.

Key moment

The Clippers had a 99-90 lead before the Suns scored 11 straight points to go back on top. Devin Booker had four points during Phoenix's rally, but fouled out with 1:27 remaining. Harden scored four straight points to give LA a 103-101 advantage, but Durant tied it with a 15-footer with 21.2 seconds remaining.

Key stat

The Suns were 1 of 4 from the field in overtime, but made all 10 of their foul shots. Nurkic and Beal were 4 of 4 and Durant made a pair.

Up next

The Suns remain in Southern California to face the Lakers on Friday night, while the Clippers are at Denver on Saturday.

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