Suns’ 1st-half woes continue in loss to Clippers

Even when healthy, the Phoenix Suns are going to struggle scoring the ball all year long. What they can’t do is defend the way they have through the first two games of the season, a handicap that will set them up for more losses like Friday’s 129-102 final to the Los Angeles Clippers if it persists.

Defense in the first half is now the definitive top issue for Phoenix. After giving up 70 points on 64% shooting against Sacramento in the season opener, it was 60% for 72 Clippers points.

It was nothing deplorable or glaring like last season. Phoenix just had a handful of small mistakes rotating off the ball, or were leaning slightly in the wrong direction on it. The problem, though, was once more opposing ball-handlers looking as cozy as can be.

Like the win, it was not as if the on-ball defense was bad. But James Harden strolled to 26 of his 30 points in those first two quarters. That confidence and comfort is something Phoenix will have to overcome without great-to-elite on-ball defenders.

This was Chapter 640 of “He’s always going to make the right play” when it comes to Devin Booker and the extra defensive attention he receives when no other sizable threat in a Suns jersey is out there. Booker had a sensational first half with his playmaking, a return to form after a shaky spell in Wednesday’s opener. But with that, it only led to 56 points, and he only attempted five shots while Jalen Green (right hamstring strain) remained out.

It should be nowhere near the top of lists citing what went wrong for Phoenix in the defeat. With that said, it’s a part of Booker’s game he still has to improve on and is especially important this year. While he trusts his teammates wholeheartedly and that won’t change, head coach Jordan Ott’s system has to generate space in the half-court offense for Booker to get a few up. And Booker has to take it upon himself to see those pockets of a game coming to avoid the offense spiraling.

To open the second half with the Suns down 16, Booker drew three bodies, and a Dillon Brooks 3 was blocked. Booker then drove-and-kick to Ryan Dunn for a 3 that did not fall, likely inspiring him to force a shot next time, which he did to a traveling call. The following possession was him again trying to find space, only to see three defenders in his airspace around a screen that forced a pass to Brooks, who turned it over. Grayson Allen then missed a transition 3.

On the other end, the Clippers scored 10 points, making it a 26-point deficit a few minutes into the third quarter. Game over.

This is when Booker really started forcing it. That has to come earlier in the game for him. Booker ended up with 18 points (5-of-10), seven assists and three turnovers in 28 minutes.

The Clippers maintained this type of healthy advantage up until the end. Phoenix will set a standard of effort and hustle throughout the season. When opponents match that, however, the Suns will have to find solutions. There were none present on Friday.

Brooks scored 15 of his 21 points (7-of-17) in the first half. He is clearly taking on the responsibility to be aggressive when Booker is forced to pass the ball, and while that might drive some fans crazy already, someone has to do it. And with confidence. He’s the only guy right now showing that until Green comes back, and that’s who will be accompanying those spaces more frequently once he checks all his boxes to return.

Dillon knocking them down from beyond the arc 👌

3/6 on three-pointers pic.twitter.com/IxjcF0yUBt

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) October 25, 2025

For those that want Brooks to stop shooting as much, please locate any other source of secondary offense in this one.

Mark Williams remained in a bench role, with his 14 minutes on a pace similar to Wednesday informing us that he’s not quite ready for a total north of it that would allow for him to both start and close games. The minutes pattern on Williams’ sub rotations only let that occur if he doesn’t begin the contest out there. Ott was noncommittal about Williams’ chances of playing the second game of a back-to-back on Saturday in Denver, and with Williams still on a minutes restriction, it seems highly unlikely he will suit up then.

Ott also said Green will not play on Saturday, leaving the door open for the end of the road trip on Monday in Utah. If Green is out then as well, Phoenix plays three straight games at home on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday of that week.

A blowout got Khaman Maluach and Rasheer Fleming to make their NBA debuts in the fourth quarter.

Kawhi Leonard added 27 points for L.A. in 33 minutes.

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