3 positives and 3 negatives from Suns’ roller coaster season opener vs. Clippers.
An ugly win is better than any loss, and while the Phoenix Suns’ season opener put that old saying to the test for a fanbase that’s still scarred from last year, they did juuuust enough to start the 2024-25 campaign off with a win.
That 116-113 overtime victory certainly wasn’t pretty, and beating an LA Clippers team that no longer has Paul George and was missing Kawhi Leonard isn’t anything to brag about. But as easy as it’d be to sit and dwell on the negative, there were plenty of positives to take from Wednesday night’s win too.
To that end, let’s dive into three positives and three negatives from the Suns’ roller coaster debut after a long buildup to the new season.
Positive No. 1: At le…
Suns’ Kevin Durant rejects New Girl star’s jersey request
Kevin Durant had to keep this one.
In what many are calling the game of the opening week, the Phoenix Suns battled hard to overcome the Los Angeles Clippers, marking an electrifying start to the NBA season. Under the bright lights of Steve Ballmer’s newly unveiled $2 billion Intuit Dome, the Suns rallied from a 99-90 deficit, ultimately securing a thrilling 116-113 victory in overtime. While the grand opening of Ballmer’s arena made headlines, it was Kevin Durant’s stellar performance in the fourth quarter that truly stole the show. Scoring 25 points, along with seven rebounds and three steals, Durant led his team to triumph against a formidable Clippers lineup featuring James Harden, TMZ reports.
As the Suns celebrated their hard-fought win, a unique moment unfolded as Durant made his way to the locker room. Actor Lamorne Morris, best known for his role in New Girl, called out to Durant, requesting the jersey off his back. The Emmy-winning actor likely expected a fun exchange, but Durant politely declined, explaining, “Gotta keep this one, babe. Got a mic in there.” Morris, unfazed, responded with a smile, clearly understanding the situation. Although he didn’t get the coveted jersey, the humorous interaction highlighted the camaraderie often seen in professional sports, especially post-game.
