Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker admitted one feature of the Los Angeles Clippers’ new Intuit Dome had quite the effect on him and his teammates.
The new $2 billion arena features what the Clippers have called The Wall, a steep 51-row section that is positioned behind the basket visiting teams will shoot at in the second half of games. The tactic seemed to work, as Booker and Kevin Durant both missed free throws during the second half of Wednesday’s 116-113 win.
“I missed the free throw. I was pissed,” Booker said after the game. “(Durant) missed two down there, too, so that s–t might work. You spend $2 billion and put a wall up.”
Booker noted that Jusuf Nurkic made four free throws during overtime, so “they didn’t completely do their job.”
"I missed the free throw. I was pissed."
Devin Booker vs. "The Wall" at Intuit Dome.
"(Kevin Durant) missed 2 down there, too. The shit might work. Hell yeah, spend $2 billion, put a wall up."
Jusuf Nurkic 4 OT FTs vs. "The Wall."
"They didn't completely do their job." #Suns pic.twitter.com/2Nsezmp7iS
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 24, 2024
It was quite easy to see why the environment could be so distracting for Suns shooters in the second half, as the Suns did have some misses down the stretch.
"The Wall" at the Intuit Dome is menacing on the free throw line 😳
PHX-LAC 4Q on ESPN pic.twitter.com/Hbzt7cME3Q
— NBA (@NBA) October 24, 2024
In total, the Suns shot 7/10 from the line in the first half, then went a miserable 8/14 in the second half when facing The Wall. Phoenix proceeded to go 10/10 in overtime, however, so they evidently found a way to adjust.
The Wall may not be the coolest feature the Clippers have in the new arena, but it might wind up being the most impactful.
