Suns Struggle in Win vs Depleted Clippers

It wasn't easy, but the Phoenix Suns got the job done.

Apr 10, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) controls the / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

PHOENIX -- It wasn't pretty, but the Phoenix Suns were victorious when the final buzzer sounded.

Against a Los Angeles Clippers squad without Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Paul George, Russell Westbrook or Ivica Zubac, the Suns struggled through majority of their 124-108 win over Los Angeles, avoiding a season sweep from the Clippers.

L.A. guard Bones Hyland established a new career-high of 37 points, which tied Devin Booker for the most between the two sides. Bradley Beal (26) and Kevin Durant (24) also chipped in scoring-wise while Jusuf Nurkic (who returned from injury) grabbed 19 rebounds with 10 assists.

Phoenix improves to 47-33 on the season. The Suns now lay claim to the No. 6 seed out West but will need New Orleans to lose one of their three remaining games to ultimately cling to the spot.

After trailing 10-2, the Suns carried a 28-27 lead into the second quarter. Booker paved the way with 16 points with Phoenix shooting 20 three-pointers to open things up.

The Suns grew their lead to double digits just a couple minutes into the second, and it looked like Phoenix was bound to run away with the game before the Clippers went on a 17-4 scoring run to close out the half with a 56-55 lead. Hyland led L.A. with 24 first-half points.

The Clippers maintained a one-point advantage after another twelve minutes, as Vogel's squad trailed 93-92 after the third. The Suns tied a season-high 42 three-point attempts in just three quarters (making just 15). Both Booker and Beal scored 20+ entering the final quarter of play.

After battling back and forth to begin the fourth, Phoenix eventually gained control of the game and built a double-digit lead with roughly two minutes remaining, seeing out a much-needed win for the Suns to avoid their first three-game losing streak since December. Phoenix closed the game on a 23-2 scoring run.

The Suns are back in action on Friday against the Sacramento Kings.