Jalen Green scored 29 points in just 23 minutes in his Phoenix debut, helping the Suns to a much-needed win while sending the undermanned LA Clippers to a third-straight loss.
Jalen Green made sure his highly-anticipated Phoenix Suns debut was worth the wait.
The 23-year-old Fil-Am guard fired 29 points in just 23 minutes, steering the Suns to a 115-102 triump over the undermanned LA Clippers that snapped a two-game losing skid on Friday, November 7 (PH time).
After missing the team’s first eight games due to a hamstring injury, Green wasted no time making his impact felt.
He scored his first basket for Phoenix on a powerful drive and finished the first half with 16 points in just 13 minutes.
A 26-8 run to start the third blew the game wide open in favor of the Suns, who turned a 51-48 deficit into a commanding 74-58 lead with 7:01 left to play.
Phoenix then led by as many as 25 points on its way to a 4-5 record and winners of four of their first five home games of the season.
Devin Booker added 24 points, seven assists, and six assists, while fellow starters Grayson Allen (18), Royce O'Neale (17), and Mark Williams (13) all contributed double-digit scoring efforts.
For the Clippers, Ivica Zubac posted a double-double with 23 markers and 11 rebounds, but the team struggled in the absence of superstars Kawhi Leonard (ankle) and James Harden (personal reasons), slipping to 3-5 and extending their losing streak to three.
Bradley Beal, who returned to Phoenix for the first time since leaving last offseason to join the Clippers, had a tough outing, finishing with just five points on 2-for-14 shooting.
The two teams will face off again on Sunday, November 9, in Inglewood, as the Clippers host the Suns.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.