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Kawhi Leonard scored 38 factors, together with a pair of late 3-pointers, and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Phoenix Suns 115-110 within the opener of their Western Convention playoff collection on Sunday.
Eric Gordon added 19 factors and hit a late 3 that stored the Clippers forward. Russell Westbrook shot simply 3 of 19 from the ground for Los Angeles however made a pair of free throws with 17.7 seconds left for a three-point lead, then blocked Devin Booker’s layup try on the different finish and swatted the ball off Booker to provide the Clippers the ball with 10.1 seconds remaining.
Kevin Durant scored 27 factors for the Suns, who misplaced for the primary time with him on the ground. Phoenix acquired the two-time NBA Finals MVP from Brooklyn in February and accidents restricted him to eight video games — all Suns wins.
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Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns talks with Chris Paul #3 throughout the first half Recreation One of many Western Convention First Spherical Playoffs towards the LA Clippers at Footprint Middle on April 16, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Photos)
Devin Booker added 26 factors for Phoenix, which can attempt to keep away from falling right into a 2-0 gap at residence on Tuesday.
The Suns trailed 109-103 with 1:33 remaining however scored the subsequent 5 factors. The Clippers grabbed a number of offensive rebounds on the following possession earlier than Westbrook made his important free throws. He completed with 9 factors, 10 rebounds, eight assists, three blocks and two steals.
Los Angeles led for a lot of the night till halfway by the third quarter. Torrey Craig made back-to-back buckets, together with one on a robust fast-break dunk, to push Phoenix forward 70-68.
It was a part of a 15-0 run that put the Suns up 77-68. The Clippers, led by Leonard’s 12 factors within the third, recovered to tie the sport at 81-all heading into the fourth.
Leonard — a two-time Finals MVP enjoying his first playoff recreation since June 14, 2021 — did a lot of his injury from the mid-range, however moved behind the 3-point arc within the recreation’s late moments. He hit a 3 with 2:36 left and one other on the 2-minute mark, ending 13 of 24 taking pictures from the sphere.
Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns talks with Chris Paul #3 throughout the first half Recreation One of many Western Convention First Spherical Playoffs towards the LA Clippers at Footprint Middle on April 16, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Photos)
The Clippers have been lacking one among their greatest gamers in eight-time All-Star Paul George. He sprained his proper knee final month and it’s unclear if he’ll be capable of play on this collection.
Gordon scored 12 factors because the Clippers jumped to a 30-18 lead after one quarter. The Suns shot simply 31.8% from the sphere within the first quarter and Durant was held scoreless.
CLIPPERS’ RUSSELL WESTBROOK REVEALS WHERE HE STANDS WITH EX-TEAMMATE KEVIN DURANT
Durant missed his first 5 photographs from the sphere earlier than lastly connecting on a mid-range jumper early within the second quarter. That appeared to shake the nerves and the 34-year-old poured in 17 factors earlier than the break, serving to reduce the Clippers’ result in 59-54.
TIP-INS
Clippers: George hasn’t performed since March 21. … Ivica Zubac had 10 factors and 11 rebounds within the first half.
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers shoots a free throw throughout the recreation Throughout spherical one recreation one of many 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2023 at Footprint Middle in Phoenix, Arizona. (Barry Gossage/NBAE through Getty Photos)
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Suns: G Cam Payne (low again soreness) was not obtainable. He was harm within the next-to-last recreation of the common season. … Have been enjoying their first residence playoff recreation since a 33-point loss to the Dallas Mavericks in Recreation 7 of final yr’s Western Convention semifinals.
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