The Phoenix Suns get little time to breathe after a 122-96 loss to the Spurs. Tonight, they host the Los Angeles Clippers at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona, in the second game of a back-to-back and the latest test in a seven-game homestand.
It is a tough spot for Phoenix, which entered at 3-6 and 2-2 on the homestand. The Suns also have two rotation players out for the game, adding to the challenge of trying to respond quickly after a lopsided defeat.
What happened before Clippers vs Suns
The previous night belonged to Victor Wembanyama. He scored 40 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked nine shots in 25 minutes, powering the Spurs to the 122-96 win. That performance set the tone for a frustrating night for Phoenix, which now has to turn around and face a Clippers team that arrives with a different kind of momentum.
On Sunday, the Los Angeles Clippers beat New Orleans 139-123 after snapping a seven-game losing streak. They also come in with a profile that has been strong from the perimeter, ranking 2nd in the NBA in 3PT% and 4th in bench scoring.
Why this game matters
For the Suns, this is about more than just one loss. A short turnaround on tired legs is difficult enough, but doing it against a Clippers team that can score efficiently and gets production from its bench makes the margin for error even smaller.
For the Clippers, the matchup offers a chance to keep building after finally getting back in the win column. For Phoenix, it is an immediate chance to show the blowout loss to the Spurs will not carry over into another home game.
