San Diego Clippers lose in overtime thriller to the Valley Suns

OCEANSIDE, Calif. – Thursday night’s match up saw the San Diego Clippers (2-1) take on the Valley Suns (3-1) in their first of two games at Frontwave Arena, where the Suns won in overtime 132-128.

Six-year NBA veteran Mo Bamba was assigned to the Clips’ roster for the game, after dealing with left knee soreness. He played just under 22 minutes. 

Jaelen House, a product of the University of New Mexico, saw some early minutes for the Clippers, grabbing a low post drop off to Braxton Key, and then hitting a wing 3-pointer right before the end of the first quarter.

A typical San Diego start saw the team in an early deficit, and then fought their way back into the game towards halftime, still down 74-69.

Both teams were shooting well through that point, with the Suns shooting 60% on field goals and the Clippers at 52%. 

It was a slow third quarter start, contrary to the Clippers' seemingly developed trend of quickly taking the lead. Nonetheless they were more efficient, taking the lead 77-76 off a Cam Christie free throw at just over 3 minutes into the third.

From then on it was a 20-minute game essentially. A lapse in judgement by RayJ Dennis led to a turnover, which opened the door for a quick 6-0 run by the Suns to take back control.

By the end of the third, which was mostly a back-and-forth, the Suns held onto their lead by 1 point, 95-94. David Stockton, son of NBA legend John Stockton, was doing a lot of the dirty work for the Suns and keeping them afloat.

It was clear this was going to be a different than the ones against Rip City, as the Valley matched up with the Clippers well, being very tenacious on the defensive end and lined up with solid wing shooting.

Nate Darling who really took over in the fourth, scoring 11 points combined in the period. He finished with a team high 25 points.

“It was a tough loss. We battled all night. For me it felt really good to get going, but it always hurts in a loss. We’ll rally the troops and get ready for the next game,” Darling said.

The game was down to the wire, with the Clips scoring timely baskets to maintain their lead, but Stockton had an and-one layup on one possession, and then a go ahead layup on the next to send the game into overtime.

Per G League rules, the team to score 7 points is declared the winner. With the game score being tied at 124-all at the start of the period, the target score was 131.

The Valley got started off a wing jumper from Jordan Shackelford, then off a San Diego miss Mamadi Diakite took the ball into the lane and got fouled. He hit both free throws, giving the Suns a 128-124 lead.

Darling kept his scoring up from the fourth, getting 2 points of a drive to the basket. Stockton was fouled on the opposite end, and also hit both of his free throws, 130-126 Suns. 

“Me and Coach (Hewitt) have been together for four years now, so he trusts me; he knows me, I know him. I’m kind of like an extension of him, so I try my best to teach, lead and do what I can out there,” Darling said.

Darling lobbed to Key, who put it in the basket. The Valley tried to respond, but were called for an eight-second violation, still leading 130-128. A 3-pointer by the Clippers would take the game, but Darling missed both his free throws, which gave the Suns a second opportunity to take the game, which they didn’t miss as Stockton hit a fadeaway jumper.

Bamba (13 points, 12 rebounds) and Trentyn Flowers (15 points, 10 rebounds) both finished with a double-double.

It was the third straight game with seven players in double figures for the Clippers.

Stockton and Jaden Shackelford both finished with 28 points for the Valley Suns.

Darling mentioned, “I love (this team) man. We got a lot of unselfish dudes, we have a lot of young guys willing to learn. I think we can be special, when we move the ball we look really good and I like the way we play.”

Despite the heartbreak of a loss, the Clippers will look to bounce back as their series continues against the Valley. They tip-off Sunday night, and the game will be played at Frontwave Arena.