Suns Edge Clippers in Game 2, 104-103
The Phoenix Suns defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, 104-103, at Phoenix Suns Arena in Game 2 of their Western Conference Finals series. The Suns lead the series, 2-0.
Both clubs checked into the contest missing what are arguably their best players in Kawhi Leonard (knee) and Chris Paul (COVID-19 protocols), but just as with Game 1, the contest turned out to be just as closely contested as if both had been on the floor. A see-saw first half culminated with the Suns (2-0) holding a narrow 48-47 lead, and Phoenix still only held a four-point edge going into the final period. The fourth quarter was also a nip-and-tuck battle; ultimately, a pair of Paul George missed free throws that would have given Los Angeles a three-point lead heading into the final possession turned out to be extremely costly, as the hosts were ultimately able to score the game-winning bucket on a Deandre Ayton alley-oop off an inbound pass from Jae Crowder with 0.7 seconds remaining that survived instant replay.
George led the Clippers with 26 points, adding six rebounds and six assists. Reggie Jackson furnished 19 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. Ivica Zubac generated a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included one block. Luke Kennard supplied 10 points, two rebounds and two assists.
Cameron Payne paced the Suns with 29 points, adding nine assists, one rebound, two steals and two blocks. Ayton finished with a 24-point, 14-rebound double-double that also included one assist, one steal and one block. Devin Booker registered 20 points, five assists and four rebounds. Dario Saric and Cameron Johnson posted matching 11-point, three-rebound tallies.
The series now shifts to Los Angeles, where the two teams will reconvene for Game 3 on Thursday night.
Both clubs checked into the contest missing what are arguably their best players in Kawhi Leonard (knee) and Chris Paul (COVID-19 protocols), but just as with Game 1, the contest turned out to be just as closely contested as if both had been on the floor. A see-saw first half culminated with the Suns (2-0) holding a narrow 48-47 lead, and Phoenix still only held a four-point edge going into the final period. The fourth quarter was also a nip-and-tuck battle; ultimately, a pair of Paul George missed free throws that would have given Los Angeles a three-point lead heading into the final possession turned out to be extremely costly, as the hosts were ultimately able to score the game-winning bucket on a Deandre Ayton alley-oop off an inbound pass from Jae Crowder with 0.7 seconds remaining that survived instant replay.
George led the Clippers with 26 points, adding six rebounds and six assists. Reggie Jackson furnished 19 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. Ivica Zubac generated a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included one block. Luke Kennard supplied 10 points, two rebounds and two assists.
Cameron Payne paced the Suns with 29 points, adding nine assists, one rebound, two steals and two blocks. Ayton finished with a 24-point, 14-rebound double-double that also included one assist, one steal and one block. Devin Booker registered 20 points, five assists and four rebounds. Dario Saric and Cameron Johnson posted matching 11-point, three-rebound tallies.
The series now shifts to Los Angeles, where the two teams will reconvene for Game 3 on Thursday night.