Leading by 26 points with 10:22 left in the fourth quarter, Phoenix saw Portland, with a small-ball lineup, disintegrate that huge advantage, cutting the lead to two with 1:04 remaining. The Suns are back Monday night, hosting the Philadelphia 76ers for an 8:15 p.m. game at Footprint Center.

Deandre Ayton is a year removed from the Phoenix Suns trading him to the Portland Trail Blazers as part of a three-team deal right before training camp of the 2023-24 season.

Devin Booker played the role of the Grim Reaper, gutting the Clippers for a season-high 40 points while Royce O’Neale delivered a career-high 21 points, hitting 5-of-6 from 3 with the final one a dagger to put Phoenix up, 118-112, with 44.7 seconds remaining.