Clippers, without Leonard, defeat Suns to force Game 6
Paul George scored 41 points, Reggie Jackson added 23 and the resilient Los Angeles Clippers staved off elimination by beating the Suns 116102 on Monday night in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals in Phoenix.
The Clippers were playing without twotime NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and center Ivica Zubac, who missed his first game of the season with an MCL sprain in his right knee. They’ve already fought through two grueling series wins in these playoffs, coming back from 20 deficits to beat both the Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz.
Now they’re trying to claw back against the Suns. Game 5 was a good start.
George was fantastic after a tough shooting night in Game 4, pouring in 20 points in the third quarter. He finished 15for20 from the field, including 3for6 from 3point range and added 13 rebounds and six assists. Marcus Morris Sr. was good, too. The veteran forward, who played for Phoenix earlier in his career, added 22 points on 9for16 shooting.
The series moves back to Los Angeles with the Suns holding a 32 advantage. Game 6 is Wednesday.
The Suns trailed by 15 points during the first half but took their first advantage in the third when Chris Paul knocked down a 16foot jumper for a 6261 lead. The Clippers responded with the next 10 points and then started sinking 3pointers. George hit backtoback 3s and Patrick Beverley added one to push Los Angeles ahead 8270, gesturing to the Suns crowd as he jogged back down the court.
It was the common theme of the night: Every time the Suns got some momentum, the Clippers were there to squash it in a hurry.
The Clippers took a 9178 lead into the fourth. The Suns pulled within 9894 with 6:58 left but L.A. responded with a 102 run and pulled away for the win.
Devin Booker led the Suns with 31 points. Paul — who is trying to go to the NBA Finals for the first time in his 16year career — added 22 points and eight assists. Deandre Ayton had 10 points and 11 rebounds.
The Clippers played inspired basketball in the first half, jumping out to an 205 lead by halfway through the first quarter. Jackson threw down a huge onehanded jam during the run and L.A. hit nine of its first 11 shots.
Morris was 6for7 in the first and Jackson made a layup at the buzzer to give the Clippers a 3626 advantage going into the second.
The Suns cut the advantage to 4442 midway through the second but the Clippers rallied again to push ahead by 10. Booker hit a 3pointer at the halftime buzzer to cut the Clippers’ advantage 5952.
Young update: An MRI exam Monday of Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young’s sore right ankle showed a bone bruise, the result of him stepping on an official’s foot late in the third quarter of Game 3 in the Eastern Conference finals against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night.
Hawks coach Nate McMillan said he won’t make a call on Young’s availability until shortly before Game 4 on Tuesday. Young was getting extensive treatment in hopes of being able to play.
Milwaukee leads the series 21.