Filipino-American basketball sensation Jalen Green made an immediate impact in his debut for the Phoenix Suns, erupting for 29 points to lead his new team to a decisive 115-102 victory over the short-handed LA Clippers on Friday, November 7, 2025 (Philippine Time).
Impressive Return From Injury
Green's outstanding performance came despite being limited to just 23 minutes of playing time as he recently recovered from a right hamstring strain. The injury had kept him sidelined for the Suns' first eight regular season games, making his explosive return even more remarkable.
The young guard was acquired by Phoenix through a massive seven-team offseason trade that sent All-Star Kevin Durant to Green's former team, the Houston Rockets. Green wasted no time proving his worth to his new franchise.
Record-Breaking Shooting Display
Green's scoring outburst came on efficient shooting, connecting on 10 of 20 field goal attempts. What made his performance particularly historic was his three-point shooting, where he made 6 of 13 attempts from beyond the arc.
This three-point barrage established a new Phoenix Suns franchise record for most three-pointers made by a player in their debut game with the team. The previous record had stood for years before Green's remarkable shooting display.
Team Effort Secures Victory
While Green led the scoring charge, he received ample support from his teammates. Suns leader Devin Booker contributed 24 points, while Grayson Allen added 18 points, including four three-pointers. Royce O'Neale also made significant contributions with 17 points to help secure the victory.
The Clippers faced significant challenges entering the game, missing two of their key players. James Harden was absent for personal reasons, while Kawhi Leonard sat out with a right ankle sprain. The absence of these two stars, who combine for nearly 48 points per game, proved too much for Los Angeles to overcome.
Second Half Dominance
The game remained competitive through the first half, with the Clippers managing to keep pace with Phoenix. However, the second half told a different story as the Suns' offense exploded and Los Angeles struggled to contain their firepower.
During a decisive third quarter run, the Suns unleashed a 33-11 scoring burst that gave them a commanding 84-64 lead. During this crucial stretch, O'Neale connected on three three-pointers while Booker added two more from long range.
Overall, the Suns dominated the third quarter by outscoring the Clippers 40-23, effectively putting the game out of reach and securing their victory.
For the Clippers, Ivica Zubac led the way with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Cam Christie contributed 17 points. John Collins added 13 points and Bogdan Bogdanovic finished with 12 points in the losing effort.
