The Los Angeles Clippers secured their first victory over the Phoenix Suns in the opening round of the Western Conference playoffs. Despite missing their All-Star player, Paul George, the Clippers managed to hold off the Suns and win Game 1 by a close margin of 115-110. Let’s take a closer look at the game’s highlights.
Clippers Take Charge in the First Half
The Clippers took full advantage of a slow start by Phoenix and quickly established their lead in the game’s first quarter. The Suns only managed to score 18 points in the first quarter, allowing the Clippers to go on a massive scoring run and take a 16-point lead before halftime.
Suns Fight Back in Third Quarter
Despite trailing by double digits, Phoenix fought back hard in the third quarter with a stunning 15-0 run to take a seven-point lead. However, it was not enough as the Clippers made an impressive comeback and tied the game at 81-all heading into the final quarter.
Leonard Leads Clippers to Victory
Kawhi Leonard was undoubtedly the star of the night for the Clippers as he scored an astounding 38 points for his team. He was crucial in securing his team’s victory as he hit two crucial three-pointers late in the game. The sharpshooter backed down Chris Paul before dishing to Eric Gordon for another three-pointer, putting them up by six. Notably, Gordon also contributed with 19 points throughout the game.
Westbrook’s Heroics Save Clippers
Russell Westbrook may have had an off night offensively, shooting just 3-of-19 from the field, but he made up for it with his heroics on defense. Westbrook came up with a massive stop at the end with his athletic blocking abilities. He blocked Devin Booker’s layup attempt and slapped the ball off Booker to secure the win for his team.
Durant and Booker Shine for the Suns
Kevin Durant was in good form as he scored 27 points and grabbed six rebounds for the Suns. His teammate, Devin Booker, also had an impressive performance with 26 points to his name. However, they were not enough to stop the Clippers from taking the win.
George’s Absence Felt by Clippers
The Clippers missed Paul George dearly in this game as he sat out due to a right knee injury. It remains unclear when he will be able to return to action in the playoffs, but his team will undoubtedly be looking forward to his comeback.
Game 2 of this exciting series will take place on Tuesday night in Phoenix. The Suns will be hoping to avoid falling into a 2-0 hole, while the Clippers will look to cement their lead with another victory.
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