Phoenix Suns outplay LA Clippers in opener
Devin Booker notched his first career triple-double as the Phoenix Suns topped the Los Angeles Clippers 120-114 in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals on Sunday.
Suns star Chris Paul missed the series opener due to COVID-19 protocols. Clippers star Kawhi Leonard (sprained right knee) also sat out the game.
Without the two aforementioned stars in the game, the spotlight fell on Booker. He didn’t disappoint Phoenix fans, finishing with 40 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. Booker was 15-for-29 from the floor.
Booker’s outstanding effort also provides the subject for a fun trivia question.
Before Booker, who was the last Sun to record a triple-double in the playoffs? Steve Nash, in 2005.
Although Booker wasn’t named to the All-NBA Team, he delivered a statement with his play on Sunday.
Then he spoke about it.
“I’ll let you guys do the rankings,” Booker said. “I’m just going out there to win every game possible. I’ve been saying this since the start of the playoffs — every next game is the biggest game.”
On a roll
For the Phoenix Suns, Game 1 ended with their eighth consecutive victory.
The Suns opened the fourth quarter with a 12-2 scoring spurt to pull ahead 105-95 with 8:08 left in the game.
In addition, balanced scoring defined Phoenix’s series-opening victory.
All five Suns starters scored in double figures. Deandre Ayton had 20 points and nine rebounds, Mikal Bridges and Jae Crowder scored 14 and 13 points, respectively, and Cameron Payne chipped in with 11 points and nine assists. So did backup Cameron Johnson (12 points).
Clippers rally in second half
The Los Angeles Clippers pulled within 116-114 on a Terance Mann 3-pointer with 22 seconds left.
Moments earlier, coach Tyronn Leu’s team trailed by 10 points.
However, the Clippers, who eliminated the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference semifinals, could never get over the hump down the stretch.
“I have no excuse,” Lue commented after Game 1. “I thought we played hard and competed. A little credit — they were making shots and we didn’t. But I loved our fight. I loved what I saw.”
Earlier, Paul George carried the Clippers during a big third-quarter run. They overturned a 78-68 Suns lead with a 16-2 run of their own, taking a an 84-78 lead. George scored 15 of his team-high 34 points in the third quarter.
Scoring duel
Booker’s scoring contributions trumped George’s in an entertaining third quarter. He had 18 points in the third.
As a result, the Phoenix Suns stayed competitive throughout. The scored was tied 93-93 entering the final stanza.
Clippers standouts
George wasn’t LA’s only notable scorer. Reggie Jackson poured in 24 points and Demarcus Cousins had 11 points. Rajon Rondo contributed eight points and handed out seven assists.