The first-round NBA playoff series between the Phoenix Suns and LA Clippers started out as an even series. The Clippers shocked the Suns in Game 1 before Phoenix righted the ship and evened the series in Game 2. Then things went off the rails for Los Angeles.
Already without Paul George, the Clippers saw Kawhi Leonard sidelined after Game 2. That put the weight of the series on the shoulders of Russell Westbrook and Normal Powell. The series moved to LA, where the Suns took Games 3 and 4 behind their power pairing of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. As Game 5 took the series back to Phoenix, the Clippers faced elimination and needed a miracle.
Clippers Keep It Close But Crash Out Of The Playoffs
With Leonard still out, the Clippers needed career games from Westbrook and Powell. However, the two players were simply unable to run with the Suns. They combined for 41 points (27 for Powell, 14 for Westbrook), and 10 rebounds. However, they also missed 10 consecutive shots during one ice-cold shooting run. The Clippers bench provided some help, with Nicholas Batum and Mason Plumlee combining for 39 points. Ivica Zubac also finished with a double-double, with 16 points and 10 rebounds. The Clippers even led at the half, having put up 70 first-half points. 40 of those came in the second quarter alone. But it was simply not enough to slow down the Phoenix pain train.
Devin Booker and Kevin Durant became the first duo since 2003 Kobe and Shaq to each score 25 in their first five playoff games. They also became just the second duo to score 25 in every game of a best-of-seven since 1968 Elgin Baylor and Jerry West. Booker led all scorers with a 47-point double-double. Meanwhile, Durant added another 31 points of his own. Their biggest moment was a 38-point third quarter to help erase a 9-point halftime deficit. The Suns scored 50 total points in the quarter. The 136-130 final score was largely a result of the Suns' bench struggling to put up meaningful points. However, it didn't matter all that much as Phoenix sealed the win. They will now face #1 seed Denver in the Conference Semifinals. Denver completed their own 4-1 dismantling of the Timberwolves on Tuesday night.
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