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.

Intuit Dome’s Unique Atmosphere Sets the Stage

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.