The Dynamic History of the Phoenix Suns vs. LA Clippers Rivalry

When Do the LA Clippers and Phoenix Suns Play Next?

LA Clippers tickets and Phoenix Suns tickets can be found on their respective team pages, along with schedule information.

Are the LA Clippers and the Phoenix Suns Rivals?

Yes, the LA Clippers and Phoenix Suns are rivals within the Pacific Division of the NBA’s Western Conference.

The Clippers, under team owner Steve Ballmer, made waves when they acquired both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in the 2019 offseason. Similarly, new Suns owner Mat Ishbia purchased Phoenix in 2023 and immediately acquired former MVP Kevin Durant to pair with Devin Booker.

Who Are the LA Clippers’ Biggest Rivals?

The LA Clippers’ most intense rivalry is the “Battle for LA” with the Los Angeles Lakers. Only two cities in the NBA have more than one franchise — New York and Los Angeles. So, it’s no surprise that these rivalries burn with the most heat as they try to captivate local fans. The rivalry between the Lakers and Clippers burns especially deep as they share a home arena. Other rivals of the Clippers include the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings.

Who Are the Phoenix Suns’ Biggest Rivals?

The Phoenix Suns have several rivalries that are constantly brewing. It starts with all the teams they compete with in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. In the 2022–2023 season, all five teams from this division made the NBA Playoffs, and since 2020 three teams from the Pacific Division have made the NBA Finals (Lakers, Suns and Warriors). The Suns also have rivalries with the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs.

Game Results Between the Clippers & Suns

Entering the 2023–2024 season, the LA Clippers and Phoenix Suns have played 253 games, with Phoenix holding the head-to-head regular season series lead, 137–98. The Clippers have the longest win streak in the series, ripping off 12 in a row from 2016–2019. From 2014–2019, LA won 21 out of 23 against Phoenix. However, Phoenix also holds the playoff head-to-head record, winning 12 times in 18 games, including three straight series wins.

LA Clippers vs. Phoenix Suns History

The LA Clippers made the playoffs four times in five seasons from 2019–2023, with the only exception coming in 2022. The Phoenix Suns made the playoffs three times in a row from 2021–2023. In two of those three playoff appearances, the two franchises squared off.

In the 2021 Western Conference Finals, Devin Booker, Chris Paul and DeAndre Ayton led Phoenix over the Clippers in six games. The Clippers had a chance to tie the series up at two games apiece in Game 4, but shot 0-for-12 in the fourth quarter in shots that could have tied the score or given LA the lead. In the closeout game, Suns point guard Chris Paul tied his playoff career high with 41 points and Phoenix blasted LA 130-103.

Phoenix rolled the Clippers in the 2023 Western Conference First Round. The Clippers were without both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, but took Game 1 in Phoenix, 115-110. However, LA won four straight games behind Booker and Durant’s offensive prowess.

Where Do the Phoenix Suns and LA Clippers Play?

The newly-named Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix has been the home of the Phoenix Suns since 1992. The arena has had six different names since its construction, including US Airways Center from 2006–2015 and Talking Stick Resort Arena from 2015–2020. It’s also commonly referred to as The Purple Palace and is the host of the Suns, the WNBA franchise Phoenix Mercury, and the Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers.

The LA Clippers play at Crypto.com Arena (nicknamed “The Crypt”), which is located in downtown Los Angeles as part of the L.A. LIVE development complex. Formerly known as STAPLES Center, Crypto.com acquired the naming rights in 2021. In 2021, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funded and broke ground for a new, dedicated stadium for the franchise in Inglewood, California. Construction on the Intuit Dome is set to be complete in 2024 and will be the team’s new home upon its completion.

Learn more about Crypto.com Arena here.