Bradley Beal Booed, Clippers Fall in Phoenix

Bradley Beal’s much‑anticipated return to Phoenix fizzled as the Clippers fell 115–102, with Beal scoring five points on 14.3% shooting in a “return to a chorus of boos.” The game mattered because it underscored how Beal’s buyout and the Suns’ failed “big three” experiment still ripple through both clubs — Devin Booker’s 24 points and a 40‑point third quarter sealed the night while the Clippers, without James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, showed how thin they are on the road. Merlin sees a story of unfinished chemistry and thin margins. Beal’s struggles feel less like one bad night and more like a team still finding its balance; Phoenix fed momentum at home and exposed L.A.’s depth issues. The rematch Saturday will be a quick barometer: will the Clippers’ stars return to steady the ship, or will Phoenix turn this into a longer road problem?