Suns seek early momentum against a reconfigured Clippers squad in their new home.
The Phoenix Suns will tip off their 2024-25 season against the Los Angeles Clippers at 10:00 PM ET on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at Intuit Dome. This matchup marks the first game for both teams, with the Suns coming off an offseason where they bolstered their roster around their star-studded Big 3.
Phoenix made key additions to complement their core trio, aiming to compete at the top of the Western Conference. They will face a Clippers team adjusting to life without their superstar, who departed this summer, leaving them in a retooling phase.
With both teams eager to make an early statement, let us break down the rosters and project the likely starting lineups for this matchup.
The Phoenix Suns enter the 2024-25 season coming off a 49-win campaign that ended in a disappointing first-round exit. Now, with Mike Budenholzer at the helm, the Suns hope to turn the page and capitalize on their star power. However, due to their high payroll, the roster remains largely unchanged, placing immense pressure on their core trio to deliver.
Led by Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Kevin Durant, the Suns’ Big 3 will be tasked with shouldering the bulk of the scoring. Tyus Jones, a savvy offseason addition, offers stability at point guard. The team is undeniably top-heavy, but its talent is enough to keep them competitive in the stacked Western Conference.
On the injury front, Jusuf Nurkic and Devin Booker are fully cleared for the opener. Grayson Allen and Damion Lee are probable to play, with Allen recovering from Achilles soreness and Lee from a hamstring issue. Josh Okogie is ruled out due to a hamstring injury. The rest of the Suns’ roster is healthy, with 13 players available if Allen and Lee suit up.
Tyus Jones
Bradley Beal
Devin Booker
Kevin Durant
Jusuf Nurkic
Head coach Tyronn Lue, now in his fifth season, faces a transformed Clippers roster following the departures of Paul George and Russell Westbrook. The additions of Derrick Jones Jr., Nicolas Batum, and Kevin Porter Jr. bring depth, but questions linger about whether these moves will be enough to elevate the team to contender status.
Kawhi Leonard is currently injured, making his health crucial for the Clippers’ success, as his absence has proven detrimental in previous seasons. Additionally, James Harden is under pressure to return to his high-scoring form.
With Clippers set to debut their new Intuit Dome on Wednesday, they face a significant challenge. Leonard will miss the game due to a knee injury. He will be joined on the sidelines by Mo Bamba, who is out with knee soreness.
James Harden
Norman Powell
Terence Mann
Derrick Jones Jr.
Ivica Zubac
NBA 
