LOS ANGELES -- Some nights the veterans lead the way, other nights the young players show some spark, and for the Clippers it was the latter in a 115-102 loss to the Suns in Phoenix.
It’s no secret the Clippers are one of the older teams in the 2025 NBA season, and early results have shown it. Second-half collapses against teams like Miami, Oklahoma City and recently the Phoenix Suns have plagued a team whose average age is 32, with sluggish starts and tired legs showing late in games.
With Kawhi Leonard and James Harden sidelined in their Nov. 6 matchup against Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns, it was the young players who brought the spark. Second-year guard Cam Christie played with confidence, knocking down shots and staying active defensively, while Kobe Brown’s speed and hustle on the glass provided a lift that kept the Clippers competitive.
In a game where the Clippers needed everyone to step up, Ivica Zubac returned to form, dominating the paint and finishing with 23 points, 11 rebounds and 2 assists. Bradley Beal, on the other hand, struggled from the floor, going 2-for-14, leaving gaps that gave the younger players opportunities to make an impact throughout the matchup.
In their last three games, the Clippers have started strong, playing sharp basketball in the first half and building early leads. But the momentum hasn’t always lasted: they were outscored by a combined 22 points in back-to-back third quarters against Miami and Oklahoma City, and by 17 in their recent matchup against the Suns in Jalen Green’s debut.
The difference this time around was that, unlike their blowout loss to Oklahoma City, they stayed competitive deep into the game. Even after falling into a 20-point deficit following a 51-48 halftime lead, players like Christie, Brown and rookie Yanic Konan-Niederhäuser helped bring the Suns’ lead down to 12 late in the third, providing energy, timely baskets and defensive effort on a stretch where the Clippers had struggled in previous games.
Christie was active at times in the first half, creating deflections and disrupting the Suns’ offense, but it was early in the fourth that he broke out, scoring and contesting at a high level, finishing with 17 points, 3 assists and 2 rebounds. Ultimately, the Clippers fell to the Suns by 13, but the 20-year-old finished with a +13 plus-minus, providing a glimpse of his potential.
The Clippers also got a glimpse of Konan-Niederhäuser, who made the most of his three minutes on the floor, showing energy and rim protection similar to what he displayed in the 2025 Summer League. While his numbers don’t immediately jump off the page, his 4 points came on a thunderous dunk, a shifty spin move, while he also had a clean block that energized the Clippers bench and showcased his athletic upside.
On the other hand, he didn’t score, but Brown made his presence felt on the glass and defensively. While many may believe he lacks scoring ability, he showed his value, finishing the night with 7 rebounds, a couple of deflections and a +6 plus-minus.
With Leonard still sidelined and Harden set to return, Beal on a minutes restriction, and rotation pieces like Brook Lopez struggling against quicker guards, the Clippers could turn to their younger players. Christie, Niederhäuser and Brown may see increased playing time as Los Angeles prepares to face the Suns again on Saturday, Nov. 8.