Phoenix Suns' Royce O'Neale had 11 points and the team-high four steals as a starter in their 111-109 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday.

James Harden has passed Rod Strickland in assists and is No. 13 all-time now. Yes, he’s higher in assists than in scoring. Also: Stephen Curry moved ahead of Ray Allen for No.

Ivica Zubac, James Harden and Norman Powell again lead the Clippers, who use a 10-0 surge to pull within one point with 40.4 seconds left, but the Suns hold on for a 111-109 win.

Harden currently occupies the second spot on the NBA 's list for all-time made 3-point shots. After accomplishing the feat, the former MVP made sure to shout out two players with whom his NBA journey started, Durant and Russell Westbrook.

Up 13 points with 5:08 remaining in the fourth, the Suns yielded a 16-4 run to make the difference one with 40.4 seconds left. Then Bradley Beal drew a foul on a baseline drive the Clippers challenged and lost, after the review showed James Harden made lower body contact on the play.

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For the game, the Suns could be without their best player, as 2014 MVP Kevin Durant is on the injury report. Durant is averaging 27.1 points, 6.4 assists, 4.1 assists and 1.3 blocks per contest while shooting 52.3% from the field and 39.8% from the three-point range in 35 games.

Led by Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, the Western Conference's eighth-place Suns have played well in January, winning seven of their last nine, and are 8-4 overall this month. The Clippers are sixth in the West standings, led by veteran stars James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, plus their top scorer this season Norman Powell.

Check azcentral for live updates of scores, highlights, and statistics during the Suns-Clippers game. Phoenix ended the third quarter ahead, 83-78 after L.A. put the Suns on their heels. James Harden produced 10 of his 18 points in the third as the Clippers went on a 20-6 run from 10:45 to 5:29 to get back in front 67-66,

The LA Clippers will face the Phoenix Suns in this NBA matchup at the Footprint Center on Monday, January 27th. WATCH: Clippers vs Suns Live | Stream free on Fu

Kawhi Leonard is back, and even though he's still rounding into form, his return has been transformative for the Los Angeles Clippers. It's been a small sample size, but early signs indicate the presence of the two-time Finals MVP entrenches the team among the Western Conference elites.