Clippers give it their all, but it's not enough
LOS ANGELES ❯❯ Bones Hyland gave two thumbs up when asked what the mood of the team was going into Thursday's Game 3. Nicolas Batum shrugged his shoulders about the prospect of facing the loaded Phoenix Suns without their two biggest stars.
“We got a lot of other guys who can play,” Batum said.
The players learned shortly before the morning shootaround that Kawhi Leonard had suffered a sprained right knee and would not be available for Games 3 and 4, if not longer, joining Paul George in street clothes on the bench.
George is recovering from a sprained knee he suffered on March 21.
Even coach Tyronn Lue took a positive approach to the situation, saying he had confidence in the players who were in uniform instead of dwelling on who wasn't.
“I know it's a tough challenge, but I've got confidence in our guys,” Lue said. “I feel confident in our guys that we can still get it done and they feel the same way.”
It's a belief that carried them for a half. Then reality set in.
The Suns took control of the game in the third quarter, then held off a late challenge by the Clippers to win 129-124 and take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven firstround playoff series.
Lue couldn't adjust his lineup quick enough to stop Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, who combined for 73 points. Leonard's absence enabled Durant to find his spot and score 28 points on 8-of-15 shooting and all 11 free-throw attempts, while Booker scored a game-high 45 points and had seven rebounds.
Chris Paul (11 points), Deandre Ayton (12 points, 11 rebounds) and Torrey Craig (15 points) all scored in double figures.
The Clippers didn't give up easily, though. They trimmed the Suns' lead to six 105-99 on consecutive baskets by Terance Mann, Norman Powell and Hyland with 7:49 left to play.
Powell had postseason career highs in points (42) and 3-pointers (seven). He is the fifth player in franchise history to score 40 points in a playoff game.
Russell Westbrook added 30 points to go along with 11 assists and seven rebounds, and Hyland finished with 18 points.
But it wasn't enough against the Suns, who capitalized on the Clippers' turnovers (25 points off 18 turnovers) and foul shots. Phoenix shot 38 free throws, making 30, while the Clippers were 18 of 24 from the line.
Unlike the first two games, the Clippers struggled to get going in the first quarter. After scoring the opening six points, turnovers and poor shots crept into their game, and at one point, they had as many turnovers (six) as points.
But as the half progressed, Clippers cut down their turnovers, increased their intensity on defense and kept putting the ball in Powell's hands. Powell, starting in place of Leonard, had 22 points in the first half as the Clippers trailed 54-51 at halftime.
Without Leonard, the Clippers couldn't sustain any momentum and now find themselves trailing in the series.