Kawhi Leonard came off the bench again as Clippers coach Tyronn Lue continued to preach patience when increasing the minutes for the all-star, who is coming off a 16-month layoff.
Even with Leonard on the court, the Suns, behind the shooting of Devin Booker, picked part the Clippers, building a 22-point lead in the first half and then holding a double-digit lead the rest of the game. Although Leonard was active on both ends of the court and scored 11 points, he couldn’t undo the damage.
The Clippers had chances in the fourth to cut the Suns’ lead to single digits, but turnovers and a series of three-pointers by the Suns stopped the Clippers from extending their run. Lue had said before the game he also wanted to keep an eye on Paul George’s minutes. George scored 40 points, had six rebounds and six assists in 39 minutes the previous night against Sacramento.
George, who started, struggled with his shot in the early going but finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists in 34 minutes.