In a high-stakes overtime season opener at the new Intuit Dome, Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant experienced firsthand the intensity of the Clippers’ new home-court advantage that resulted in him missing two key free throws in a win.

The debut of the $2 billion stadium, featuring its vertical, fan-packed section known as “The Wall,” brought a rowdy atmosphere, unlike any Clippers experience when the team shared the Crytpo Arena with the Los Angeles Lakers for the past 25 years. With 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the 14-time All-Star was sent to the free-throw line after being fouled by Clippers center Ivica Zubac.

The noise and proximity of “The Wall” fans, strategically placed to disrupt opposing players during critical moments, proved effective as Durant missed two key free throws, underscoring the new venue’s sheer impact. Despite the lapse of focus, Durant sunk a game-tying 15-foot jumper with 21 seconds of regulation to tie the game and send it into overtime, where the Suns won 116-113.

After the game, Durant admitted that the crowd’s rowdiness actually affected him at the line. Also, “The Wall” was unlike any experience he’d seen in his 17-year NBA career, and the heightened energy in the venue could be a game-changer in tight matchups later this season.

“It was crazy. I was just staring at it the whole time,” said Durant. “You’re not used to that. I think I experienced that [against] Oklahoma State, [they] have somewhat of an arena like that. Obviously not that big, but the seats went straight up and [I] always thought that was cool. The noise sounds a little different from that vantage point. It’s going to be a tough road environment for whoever comes in here.”

Durant led Phoenix to victory with a team-high 25 points, adding seven rebounds, three steals, and a block to his stat line. He was aggressive getting to the free-throw line, shooting 7 for 9 for the game, with his only misses coming during the wall-trembling fourth quarter.

Kevin Durant stares into the Intuit Dome's high-tech features

Kevin Durant was effected by the new arena ( 

Image:

Getty)

The Suns collectively shot 25 of 34 from the free-throw line with a 73.5 percent accuracy, slightly edging out the Clippers, who shot 21 of 30 for 70.0 percent. Clippers guard Terance Mann struggled from the line, missing all three of his attempts, including an attempt shooting into “The Wall” in the first half.

Suns two-time All-NBA guard Devin Booker also spoke about the advantages of the “The Wall” after missing a free throw late in the fourth quarter while down by five points. “I missed a free throw man, I was pissed,” he said.

“I think K [Kevin Durant] missed two down there too, so that —- might work,” he continued. “Hell yeah, you spend $2 billion, you put a wall up.”