Clippers guard James Harden, left, passes the ball while under pressure from Phoenix Suns guard Monte Morris during the first half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker drives to the basket between Clippers guard Terance Mann, right, and forward Nicolas Batum, left, during the first half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen, right, shoots as Clippers guard Terance Mann defends during the first half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard James Harden, right, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant defends during the first half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker reacts after he was fouled on his shot during the first half of their game against the Clippers on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns center Mason Plumlee, left, shoots as Clippers forward Kai Jones defends during the first half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue watches from the sideline during the first half of their game against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, left, tries to keep the ball away from Clippers guard Terance Mann, center, as Clippers guard James Harden watches during the first half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, left, shoots as Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. defends during the first half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard James Harden, left, looks to pass while seated on the court next to Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant, right, as Kris Dunn, top, waits during the first half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant scores on a layup in front of the Clippers Kai Jones, left, and Nicolas Batum, right, during the first half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers center Ivica Zubac, left, reaches in on Phoenix Suns center Mason Plumlee during the first half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Norman Powell reacts after a Phoenix Suns foul on his shot during the first half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen, right, shoots as Clippers center Ivica Zubac defends during the first half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Terance Mann, left, shoots as Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic defends during the first half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, center, shoots as Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr., left, and guard Terance Mann defend during the first half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, reacts as he is fouled by Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. during the first half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns center Mason Plumlee prepares to dunk in front of Clippers guard Terance Mann during the first half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Terance Mann reaches in on Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, left, during the first half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Clippers Kai Jones, left, reacts as he blocks the shot of Phoenix Suns center Mason Plumlee (22) during the first half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer watches from the sideline during the first half of their game against the Clippers on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, left, shoots as Clippers forward Nicolas Batum defends during the first half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers forward Kai Jones, left, reaches in on Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen during the first half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant, left, holds the ball in front of the Clippers Derrick Jones Jr. (55) and Norman Powell (24) with teammate Tyus Jones (21) between them during the first half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, left, blocks the shot of Clippers guard Terance Mann during the first half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, left, blocks a shot by Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. during the second half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, drives toward the basket as Clippers forward Nicolas Batum defends during the second half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard James Harden, center, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn, left, and guard Tyus Jones defend during the second half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, left, grabs a rebound away from Clippers center Ivica Zubac during the second half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard James Harden passes the ball as Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant defends during the second half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant, left, holds the ball as Clippers guard Norman Powell defends during the second half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) attempts a layup in front of the Phoenix Suns Royce ONeale (00), Oso Ighodaro (4) and Devin Booker (1) during the second half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, right, shoots as Clippers guard Terance Mann defends during the second half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. reacts to his foul during the second half of their game against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant reacts during the second half of their game against the Clippers on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Terance Mann, right, grabs a rebound in front of Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker during the second half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers forward Nicolas Batum, right, reacts as he has his shot blocked by Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant during the second half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Clippers Kai Jones shoots as Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic defends during the second half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Phoenix Suns Royce ONeale, right, grabs a rebound away from the Clippers Derrick Jones Jr. during the second half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Kris Dunn, right, scores as Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker defends during the second half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Phoenix Suns Royce ONeale celebrates after he made a 3-point shot during the second half of their game against the Clippers on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic reacts as he is fouled by Clippers guard Norman Powell during the second half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Norman Powell leaves the court with a member of the medical staff during the second half of their game against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Amir Coffey, right, scores on a layup in front of Phoenix Suns star Devin Booke (1) and Suns center Mason Plumlee during the second half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic, right, passes the ball away as Clippers guard James Harden, center, and Clippers center Ivica Zubac defend during the second half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, center, shoots as Clippers guard Norman Powell, left, and guard Kris Dunn defend during the second half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Amir Coffey reacts during the second half of their game against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker (1) passes the ball to center Mason Plumlee, right, as the Clippers Kai Jones (23) and Amir Coffey (7) defend during the second half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker celebrates after he made a shot during the second half of their game against the Clippers on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Phoenix Suns Ryan Dunn (0) blocks the shot of Clippers guard Amir Coffey as the Suns Royce ONeale, right, and Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) watch during the second half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Phoenix Suns Ryan Dunn reacts to his foul during the second half of their game against the Clippers on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker, left, shakes hands with Clippers guards Norman Powell, center, and Terance Mann, right, after their game on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Show Caption1 of 52Clippers guard James Harden, left, passes the ball while under pressure from Phoenix Suns guard Monte Morris during the first half on Thursday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
ExpandINGLEWOOD — Playing an opponent twice in eight days has its benefits. The teams know each other’s tendencies and remember what schemes they like to run.
So, when the Clippers hosted the Phoenix Suns for the second time in five games on Thursday night, recalling what happened before wasn’t an issue.
“There’s not any real advantage playing against three Hall of Famers, but we know what they are running,” Lue said. “We know how they tried to attack us last game. We know how we need to play, how to attack them.”
That memory muscle didn’t save the Clippers on Thursday, when they built a 21-point lead before losing to the Suns, 125-119, at the Intuit Dome. The loss came one night after they gave away a late lead in a one-point loss to Portland.
This game didn’t resemble the opening night contest in which the Suns won in overtime. In that game, the Clippers watched helplessly as hot-shooting Phoenix made all 10 of its free throws in the extra period. But it was a harbinger of things to come as the Clippers’ next two games came down to the final minute.
Nothing changed this time. After leading by as many as 19 in the first half, the Clippers again were left scrambling for an advantage in the waning moments of the game, an edge that never materialized.
“I mean, we just got to learn from it,” Lue said. “We got to continue to keep getting better. We got to close games better and just something to keep learning from. All five of our games have been close, come down to the wire. We’ve been fortunate to win two of them, but in any of those games, we could be 0-5. We could be 5-0.
“So, just staying the course, understanding that our margin for error is very slim. So, we can’t turn the basketball over. We can’t have defensive breakdowns, we can’t allow offensive rebounds, and then we got to take good shots and be good offensively.”
The Suns took advantage of the Clippers’ miscues to pull ahead by what looked to be an insurmountable eight-point lead at 115-107 on a floater by Royce O’Neale.
James Harden trimmed the deficit to six with 1:58 left and added a pair of free throws at the 1:25 mark to get the hosts within 115-111. The six-time All-Star guard made one of two foul shots before O’Neale buried a corner 3-pointer to give the Suns an 118-112 lead with 44 seconds remaining.
The Clippers (2-3) couldn’t mount any sort of comeback as their turnovers continued (they had six in the fourth quarter) and the clock ran out, dropping them to 0-3 at their new arena.
“All those things matter. Each possession matters until we understand that it’s going to be tough games, and like I said, we are in the game,” Lue said. “We are playing hard, we are competing, but we got to play smarter, and we got to be better.”
The Clippers did none of those things down the stretch. Every time the Clippers pushed ahead, the Suns (4-1) pushed back.
Phoenix was unstoppable in the third quarter, shooting 80% from the field on its way to a 51.2% mark for the game. The Suns also made 82.1% of their free throws (23 for 28).
Harden said the Clippers, with nine new players, are going through NBA-style growing pains.
“It’s definitely frustrating, but nothing we can do about it,” Harden said. “We got to find ways to get better.
“Obviously you want to win games … but it is what it is. If we were winning games in this, then it’s a conversation, but we kind of brush it off, so we just got to make sure we stick with it and we will.”
First, the Clippers need to learn how to stop the opponent’s stars.
Kevin Durant, who said fans in The Wall section affected him in the previous meeting, showed more poise the second time, scoring 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting. Fellow All-Star Devin Booker was seemingly unflappable, scoring a game-high 40 points on 11-of-18 shooting (5 for 9 from 3-point range) with eight assists.
Harden finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists, his fourth triple-double as a Clipper, the fourth-most in franchise history, and eclipsed the 26,000-point mark (26,004). He is one of 20 players in NBA history to reach that mark.
Harden also notched his fourth consecutive game with a points/assists double-double, the longest streak by a Clippers player since Chris Paul in 2017.
Ivica Zubac posted another double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds, while Norman Powell had 23 points.
Kevin Porter Jr., who has had a lackluster start to his Clippers career, had his best outing of the early season. Sporting green hair (part of his pregame Joker costume), he scored 14 points.
With Harden in charge, the Clippers jumped out to a double-digit lead and led 37-20 after one quarter. He had 12 points and seven assists in his first 11 minutes.
The Clippers eventually pulled away to a 19-point lead (46-37) in the second quarter, sowing the seeds for a potential blowout victory.
The Suns, despite playing without Bradley Beal (elbow), clawed their way back into the game, pulling to within 50-40 before Powell got hot, scoring eight consecutive points to put the Clippers firmly ahead going into halftime. They led 70-52 at the intermission and by 21 in the first minute of the third quarter, but the Suns outscored them 39-23 in the period.
Booker and Durant got going in the third to spark the Suns, combining for 20 points. O’Neale, who finished with 21 points, and Ryan Dunn, who had 16, also had some timely long-distance shots after the break.
Phoenix finished with 73 points in the second half.
“You can’t take no team lightly,” Harden said. “So, for us, I think it’s going to be a lot of close games and we just got to find ways to execute and win ’em. The last two were tough, but well get there sooner than later.”