Clippers Debut 'The Wall' in Intuit Dome, but Suns Win in OT

In their first regular-season game at the new Intuit Dome, the LA Clippers unveiled a unique feature that rattled even veteran superstar Kevin Durant. With 10 minutes remaining in regulation, Durant, a career 88.4% free throw shooter, missed two free throws in front of "The Wall"—a towering section of die-hard Clippers fans.

This steep wall of 51 uninterrupted rows, designed by owner Steve Ballmer to create an intense home-court advantage, sparked a frenzy among the 18,300 fans in attendance as the Suns and Clippers battled in a tight contest.

Durant, who finished with 25 points, acknowledged that the imposing structure was a distraction. "It was crazy," he said. "You're not used to that." Despite The Wall's impact, Durant redeemed himself by nailing a 15-foot fadeaway jumper to tie the game and force overtime.

While the Clippers' high-tech arena, equipped with a massive 4K Halo board and an energetic, student-section-like atmosphere, nearly delivered a victory, the Suns managed to spoil their debut. Durant and Devin Booker praised The Wall’s unique design, with Booker admitting it threw him off too. "You spend $2 billion, put a wall up," Booker joked, hinting that the steep section could be a future headache for visiting teams.

James Harden led the Clippers with 29 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists, but costly turnovers and missed opportunities—including a failed game-winner in regulation and a crucial missed free throw in overtime—prevented the Clippers from securing a win. The Suns, meanwhile, capitalized on the Clippers’ late-game miscues to secure a 116-113 victory, sealed by Grayson Allen’s steal in the final seconds.

Harden, disappointed by the outcome, expressed frustration that the Clippers couldn’t deliver a historic win in their new arena. “The fans gave us great energy, but we have to do our part,” Harden said.

With The Wall as a defining feature and the immersive fan experience designed by Ballmer, the Clippers aim to create one of the NBA’s most intimidating home-court environments. As Durant and Booker’s reactions suggest, The Wall may become a key factor in future games.