Get ready for a thrilling showdown as the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers face off in a highly anticipated NBA clash! But here's the twist: key players are sidelined, and the stakes have never been higher. As of February 1, 2026, at 1:35 p.m. MT, the Suns are wrapping up their five-game homestand at the Mortgage Matchup Center, but they’re doing it without two of their stars. Devin Booker, nursing a right ankle sprain, and Jalen Green, managing a right hamstring injury and recovering from a left hip contusion, are both out. Booker’s re-evaluation is set for this weekend, while Green’s return has been rocky—he scored 11 points in just 16 minutes against the Cavaliers but suffered a hard fall that sidelined him again. This season, Green has only played five games for Phoenix, making his availability a constant question mark. And this is the part most people miss: the Clippers, despite their 22-25 record, have been on fire since Christmas, boasting the NBA’s best record at 14-4 during that stretch. The Suns, at 30-19, trail closely with a 14-6 record, but their head-to-head matchup history this season is tight—Phoenix leads 2-1, though their last meeting was back on November 8. This game marks their final regular-season clash in 2025-26. Controversially, Clippers point guard James Harden is also out, but for personal reasons, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering how this will impact the team’s momentum. With so much on the line, this 6 p.m. MST game, airing on 3TV and Arizona's Family Sports, promises drama and excitement. But here’s the question: Can the Clippers maintain their post-Christmas dominance without Harden, or will the Suns capitalize on their absences to secure a crucial win? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one game you won’t want to miss! For more insights, reach out to Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or 480-810-5518, and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @DuaneRankin. And don’t forget to support local journalism by subscribing to azcentral.com today!
