West Notes: Clippers, Paul George, Suns, Devin Booker, Blazers

Clippers

The Clippers dropped to 0-4 with James Harden, as we relayed here, and have lost five straight overall.

“We should be frustrated,” forward Paul George told reporters. “We’re not winning games and we’re trying to figure it out. We’re all brothers in this locker room and at times, a message has to be delivered and we have to figure out how to get over the hump.”

• Harden added it’s hard to tell why the Clippers can’t get into a rhythm offensively. “That’s a good question. Something we’re trying to figure out,” he told reporters. “If we knew the answer to that, then we could correct it.”
• Harden did say the Clippers haven’t given up hope — understandable, given how early it is. “We’re all in this together. It’s not just one person,” he said. “We’re all trying to figure it out together. All got positive energy. Obviously it’s tough losing games consecutively, but we’re all in this thing together and we know the bigger picture.”
• Coach Tyronn Lue said guard Bones Hyland will remain out of the rotation for the time being.

Suns

Shooting guard Devin Booker is making progress on his return from an ankle injury, coach Frank Vogel said, via Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. Booker could return later in the week.

“He’s increasing his work on the floor with his shooting, the intensity, speed and intensity of it, but still not ready yet,” Vogel said.

• As Rankin relayed, the Suns allowed the Lakers to go on a 19-2 run on Friday with Kevin Durant resting on the bench. Perhaps a Booker return will help the Suns feel a little more comfortable trying to pay KD reasonable minutes.

Trail Blazers

• The Blazers have officially signed guard Jamaree Bouyea to a two-way contract, the team announced. Bouyea appeared in five games last season with the Wizards and Heat after going undrafted out of San Francisco in 2022.
• Along with that, the Blazers announced they converted the contract of guard Skylar Mays from a two-way to a standard deal. The Blazers could certainly use the help in the backcourt, with Anfernee Simons, Malcolm Brogdon and rookie Scoot Henderson all injured.