Suns-Clippers updates: Durant, Booker open season at Intuit Dome; LA without Leonard

The Phoenix Suns face the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday in their debut of the 2024-25 NBA season. This is the first of four scheduled meetings between the Pacific Division rivals.

The game begins at 7:00 p.m. MST and will be broadcast on ESPN and Arizona's Family (3TV).

This will be the second season that Big 3 players Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal play together at the helm of the team. Last season, Beal was sidelined for the Suns' first seven games due to a lower back injury.

LA is led by former MVP and 16-year veteran guard James Harden, making his second appearance with the team.

Here at azcentral you will find live updates on scores, highlights and statistics during the game.

Starting lineups

The Suns start Tyus Jones at the point, Devin Booker in the backcourt with him, Bradley Beal for their three-guard lineup, Kevin Durant and Jusuf Nurkic in the middle.

The Clippers will start with James Harden at one, Norman Powell at two guards, swingman Terance Mann, Derrick Jones Jr. and big Ivica Zubac.

Clippers open season in new Intuit Dome without Leonard

The Suns' first of their two season-opening away games in LA will take place at the Clippers' new home arena, the Intuit Dome. Located in the LA suburb of Inglewood, it has not been the Clippers' previous home court since 2000, sharing with the Lakers at the Crypto.com Arena in downtown LA.

The Clippers will be without their biggest star and two-time champion Kawhi Leonard, who is out indefinitely due to recurring knee problems. Devin Booker said at the Suns' final training camp on Tuesday that the Clippers are a “well-rounded” squad even in Leonard's absence, suggesting that Harden's scoring prowess on defense is still a force to be wary of on defense Have to be careful.

ESPN profiled Harden leading his hometown Clippers team without Leonard hours before tipoff between the Suns and Clippers.

Suns and Clippers injury reports

Suns sharpshooters Grayson Allen (right hamstring) and Damion Lee (hamstring injury) are likely to play. Their replacement striker Josh Okogie (hamstring) is out.

Aside from Leonard being out due to LA, their big man Mo Bamba (knee) is also out and PJ Tucker won't be with the team going forward.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suns-Clippers updates: Phoenix plays season opener in Leonard-less LA