Suns' Devin Booker Says Clippers 'Punched Us in the Face' to Start Game 5
Jun 29, 2021
Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George (13) drives as Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) defends during the second half of game 5 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals, Monday, June 28, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Facing elimination and a hostile Phoenix crowd, the Los Angeles Clippers opened Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals with a 20-5 run on their way to a 116-102 win to keep their Finals hopes alive.
"It's on all of us," Suns guard Devin Booker told reporters. "They came out, they punched us in the face to start the game. And I think we showed it at spots tonight and certain times, but they're not going to go away easily, so we have to be locked in from beginning to end."
Paul George scored 41 points and added 13 rebounds, six assists and three steals as he continued to lift the Clippers without Kawhi Leonard. Twenty of George's points came in the third quarter as he almost single-handedly staved off Phoenix's best comeback effort.
Suns coach Monty Williams said he didn't feel the Suns had the necessary "desperation" level to close out the series.
"The desperation has to be there," he said. "That's the deal. Just because you have a lead in the series doesn't mean you can show up and they're going to give it to you. We have to understand that, and I think we do now. We will be better when we show up the next time we play."
Booker carried his end of the bargain, pouring in 31 points in his best effort in his three games wearing a mask to protect against a nose injury. Chris Paul had 22 points and eight assists, but the supporting cast came up quiet. No other starter scored more than 10 points.
The Suns will have a second opportunity to close out the Clippers on Wednesday in Game 6 in Los Angeles. The Clippers, however, have come back from a 2-0 deficit in each of their first two playoff series.
Clippers' DeMarcus Cousins Calls Out 'Trolling Bulls--t' Directed at Paul George
Jun 29, 2021
Los Angeles Clippers center DeMarcus Cousins warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday, April 6, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Clippers center DeMarcus Cousins came to his teammate's defense after Paul George dropped 41 points and 13 rebounds in a 116-102 victory over the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Finals on Monday.
Cousins told reporters following the game he "[doesn't] know where this trolling bulls--t comes from" and that George is "one of the most special players ever to lace his shoes up" (warning: tweet contains profanity):
“I don’t know where this trolling bullshit comes from. The internet controls the narratives. Kind of foolish man. Give this dude his flowers. I don’t understand the slander. That’s one of the most special players to ever lace his shoes up.”
George echoed a similar refrain when he said it's the "honest truth" and a "fact" he received undue criticism at times.
The seven-time All-Star was masterful in Game 5, and his 20 points in the fourth quarter were pivotal in warding off the Suns.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY8GKFFX4Is
To some extent, though, that performance underscores why some are so vocal in wanting to see more from George in the playoffs. Few stars are better two-way players, and the 31-year-old has shown on multiple occasions he can be a No. 1 scoring option on a playoff team.
George raises the bar so high for himself that it becomes tough to ignore when he doesn't live up to the billing in the postseason.
You wouldn't expect an All-NBA player to shoot 4-of-16 from the floor as his team puts the finishing touches on a complete meltdown after leading a playoff series 3-1. Similarly, you can't sugarcoat George having 20 points on 7-of-37 shooting in back-to-back elimination games. He's simply too good to let that happen.
Having said that, the commentary can go overboard at times, most notably when George started receiving the "Pandemic P" moniker. Since earning his first All-Star appearance in 2013, he's averaging 23.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists in the playoffs.
In general, the occasionally harsh judgments—whether fair or not—come with the territory for a player in George's category. And narratives are inevitable in a situation that presents a clear winner and loser.
Just this offseason, the floodgates have opened for Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons after Philly's conference semifinals exit. Should the Milwaukee Bucks fail to win a title, Giannis Antetokounmpo's two MVPs won't make him immune to questions about whether he's a good enough playoff player.
As much as George is getting his deserved plaudits in the wake of Game 5, the conversation will shift in an entirely different direction if he runs out of gas and lays an egg in one of the next two outings.
Clippers' Paul George Says 'It’s a Fact' He Gets Criticized More Than Other Stars
Jun 29, 2021
Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George celebrates after scoring during the first half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George believes he gets singled out for excess criticism tied to his performances in the NBA playoffs.
"I do. And it's the honest truth," he told reporters after his team's 116-102 victory over the Phoenix Suns in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals. "It's a fact. But I can't worry about that. It comes with the job, I guess."
As George noted toward the end of his comments, All-Stars are held to a different standard at this point in the season. Sports are a results-based business, and marquee names are expected to go above and beyond in the biggest games.
Not even Michael Jordan was immune as he had plenty of critics who wondered whether the Chicago Bulls could get over the hump prior to their 1991 title.
In George's case, he has supplied his detractors with some ammunition, which starts with the "Playoff P" moniker. Giving yourself a nickname always presents the risk of backfiring spectacularly.
The seven-time All-Star missed three of his last four free throws as the Clippers were attempting to claw back in the final seconds of Game 4 against Phoenix.
There was the Clippers' collapse last year. He shot 39.8 percent from the field and averaged 20.2 points in the 2020 postseason, not the kind of production the team was looking to get.
George also went 2-of-16 from the floor as the Oklahoma City Thunder bowed out of the first round in 2018 at the hands of the Utah Jazz.
But the 2019 playoffs lent credence to what he said Monday night.
Everybody remembers Damian Lillard hitting a buzzer-beater over George in Game 5 and waving goodbye to the Thunder. What immediately got lost was George putting up 36 points, nine rebounds and three assists in that game and averaging 28.5 points and 8.6 rebounds over the series.
As with most things, the truth is somewhere in the middle when it comes to George. He has delivered some forgettable showings in the playoffs and earned some of the criticism directed his way. But the negative appraisals can occasionally go too far and ignore when he puts his team on his back, much like he did Monday by finishing with 41 points and 13 rebounds.
Kawhi Leonard Ruled Out for Clippers vs. Suns Game 5 with Knee Injury
Jun 27, 2021
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives to the basket in the second half during Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in Dallas, Friday, June 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard has been ruled out for Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns on Monday due to his knee injury.
That doesn't come as much of a surprise, as Yahoo Sports NBA insider Chris Haynes previously reported it is "highly unlikely" Leonard will travel with the Clippers for Game 5 (beginning at the 1:15 mark):
Leonard has not played since Game 4 of the Clippers' second-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz because of a knee injury.
Haynes said the elevation involved with flying to Phoenix "wouldn't be good for his knee."
The 29-year-old Leonard is a two-time NBA champion (and two-time Finals MVP), two-time Defensive Player of the Year and five-time All-Star. He averaged 24.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game this season while shooting 51.2 percent from the field and 39.8 percent from three.
With Leonard out, Paul George has taken on the bulk of the scoring and playmaking load with mixed results. Versus the Suns, he's averaging 27.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game but is shooting 35.4 percent from the field and 24.4 percent from three. He's gone 14-of-46 from the field the past two games.
Terance Mann and Reggie Jackson have also had more opportunities offensively.
The Clippers, who have never reached the Finals in franchise history, trail the series 3-1 after Phoenix's 84-80 win in Game 4 on Saturday.
Devin Booker, Suns Outlast Paul George, Clippers in Game 4 to Take 3-1 Series Lead
Jun 27, 2021
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 24: Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) shoots during the Phoenix Suns game versus the Los Angeles Clippers game 3 NBA Western Conference Finals game on June 24, 2021, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Phoenix Suns quickly regrouped after falling to the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals and notched a massive road victory in Game 4,84-80, at Staples Center on Saturday.
As the series shifts back to Phoenix for Game 5, the Suns have taken a commanding 3-1 series lead as they seek their first NBA Finals appearance since 1993.
Devin Booker and Chris Paul combined for 43 points as the Clippers were forced to play without Kawhi Leonard (knee) for the sixth straight contest. As in Games 1 and 2, that proved too much to overcome.
The Clippers have fallen to an 0-2 series deficit in each of the first three rounds of the postseason but now face their first 3-1 deficit of the playoffs. Only 13 teams in NBA history have ever come back after going down 3-1. The Denver Nuggets did it twice last year, including their second-round series over the Clippers.
Paul George, SG, Los Angeles Clippers: 23 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists
Reggie Jackson, PG, Los Angeles Clippers: 20 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist
Suns' Gritty Victory
For as dominant as Phoenix has looked throughout the postseason, Saturday's victory showed the Suns don't alway have to knockdown myriad shots in order to pull off a win. They can grind teams into defeat, as well.
That much was clear as the Phoenix scored its fewest points in any game all year, not to mention the first time the team has scored fewer than 90 points since April 22. Instead, the Suns continued to make life miserable at the rim for Los Angeles, grabbing 42 defensive rebounds to the Clips' 15 offensive boards and winning the rebounding battle 59-51 overall.
As both teams struggled to find any sort of rhythm from behind the arc (9-of-51 combined), that determination to secure the ball proved even more vital.
It wasn't just that Phoenix looked worn out by the fourth quarter so much as its ability to still find the strength to keep Los Angeles from completing a 16-point comeback. On 12 occasions in the fourth quarter, L.A. launched a shot that would've given the Clips their first lead of the night or tied the game. They missed all 12 looks.
While the Suns won the fourth-quarter, 15-14, the manner was as ugly as any playoff game in recent memory.
The two teams combined to shoot seven-of-38 from the floor over the final frame as L.A. tried to drag out an inevitable loss as long as possible to somehow change its fate.
Deandre Ayton, Paul and Booker refused to let that happen.
It's the first time all postseason the Clippers have been unable to rally back from an 0-2 series deficit after finding themselves in that position against the Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz. Now the club will just have to focus on making sure its season doesn't come to a bitter end on Monday night in the desert.
The Suns' star shooting guard gave himself about seven quarters during the conference finals to figure out how to shoot with his protective mask on. After Booker broke his nose in Game 2, the protection was deemed necessary.
Then Booker shot 10-of-34 with the mask on and decided there were more important things than two functioning nostrils. He had a championship to win.
Early in the third quarter, after starting his night five-of-13 from the field, Booker ditched the mask and attempted to rediscover his rhythm. It didn't quite work out. The Kentucky product finished his night eight-of-22—going three-of-seven sans mask—including misses on all five of his three-point attempts.
Considering how poorly both teams shot on the night, Booker's night doesn't stick out as particularly bad, but it does highlight just how elite of a level he was playing at before the injury.
The Clippers were held to 36 points in the 1st half, tied for their fewest points in the 1st half of a playoff game in franchise history.
They shot 4-22 on 3-pt FG, tied for their most missed threes (18) in any half of a playoff game in franchise history. pic.twitter.com/lcQC8NQE3i
The 24-year-old had six outings of 30 points or more before Game 2. He's scored 40 points total since then.
Booker told reporters after his 15-point outing in Game 3 that the mask wasn't holding him back. He just needed to play better. Whether or not that was the case, the guard decided to try his luck without late in the game on Saturday.
The results are still very much pending on if he'll work his way out of a poorly-timed shooting slump.
What's Next?
Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals returns to Phoenix Suns Arena in Arizona. Tipoff is scheduled for Monday, June 28 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Clippers' Kawhi Leonard Ruled Out for Game 4 vs. Suns with Knee Injury
Jun 25, 2021
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 14: Head Coach Tyronn Lue of the Los Angeles Clippers hi-fives Kawhi Leonard #2 during Round 2, Game 4 of 2021 NBA Playoffs on June 14, 2021 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
Kawhi Leonard won't be on the floor for Game 4, either.
A day after the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Phoenix Suns in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals without their starting small forward, L.A. head coach Tyronn Lue told reporters Leonard will be out for Game 4.
Ty Lue says Kawhi Leonard remains out for Game 4. Marcus Morris will be a game-time decision again. Lue said it wasn't until like 20-30 minutes before Game 3 that they knew Morris would be able to go.
The Suns lead the best-of-seven series 2-1 despite having dropped their first contest since May 27. Leonard has yet to return to the floor since injuring his right knee in Game 4 of a second-round series against the Utah Jazz on June 14.
Leonard is averaging 30.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 11 playoff games.
Without him, the Clippers have required more from Paul George, who has responded with outings of 34 points, 26 points and 27 points in the first three games against the Suns.
It wasn't until the series shifted to Staples Center in Los Angeles that the Clips pulled out a victory against their Pacific Division rivals. That wasn't too concerning for George and Co., as the Clippers have faced 2-0 series deficits in each of their three playoff matchups this year.
L.A. came back to defeat the Dallas Mavericks in seven games to advance out of the first round before dispatching the Jazz in six games to reach the West Finals.
Doing the same against Phoenix will be significantly more difficult without Leonard. It's unclear when the 29-year-old may be able to return to the floor.
Clippers' Ty Lue on 'Belichick' Praise: 'Means a Lot for Those Guys to Trust Me'
Jun 25, 2021
Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue gestures during the second half in Game 6 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Utah Jazz Friday, June 18, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Following the Los Angeles Clippers' heartbreaking 104-103 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, Clippers guard Patrick Beverley joked with reporters about Lue's adjustments, comparing him to legendary New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.
Two days later, the Clippers beat the Suns 106-92 in Game 3 of their Western Conference Finals series. Afterward, Lue spoke about the importance of his players' trust in him.
Clippers coach Ty Lue laughed off that players are calling him 'Bill Belichick' because of his constant adjustments. Lue "It means a lot for those guys to trust me."
Game 2 ended with Deandre Ayton stuffing home an out-of-bounds alley-oop pass from Jae Crowder to beat the buzzer and give Phoenix a 2-0 edge in the series. Afterward, Lue did some work to connect to his players and get their minds right for Game 3:
Ty Lue said as soon as the team landed back in LA in the early morning hours after Game 2, he called Paul George to check where his head was at and tell him that Game 2 was over. He also called Pat Beverley as well as soon as everyone got into their cars off the team plane.
Whatever he did worked, as the Clippers dominated the Suns in a 14-point win that featured a 27-point, 15-rebound, eight-assist night from George. The Clippers defense also held star Suns guards Devin Booker and Chris Paul to 10-of-40 shooting.
L.A. will look to even the series at two games apiece when it hosts Phoenix for Game 4 on Saturday at 9 p.m. ET in Staples Center.
Kawhi Leonard Ruled Out for Clippers vs. Suns Game 3 with Knee Injury
Jun 24, 2021
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 14: Assistant Coach Chauncey Billups of the LA Clippers talks with Kawhi Leonard #2 during Round 2, Game 4 of 2021 NBA Playoffs on June 14, 2021 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
Kawhi Leonard will miss Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals as he continues to work through a knee injury, the Los Angeles Clippers announced Wednesday.
Clippers officially rule out Kawhi Leonard for Game 3.
The series shifts to Staples Center on Thursday as the Clippers look to hold serve after the Phoenix Suns took a 2-0 series lead at home.
Leonard hasn't taken the floor since playing 34 minutes in a 14-point victory over the Utah Jazz in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals. Through 11 games played this postseason, the small forward is averaging 30.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists.
The status update comes asmultiple outletsreport guard Chris Paul is likely to rejoin the Suns after missing the past two games because of the league's health and safety protocols.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported a lack of confidence within the Clippers that Leonard will be able to return before the end of the West Finals. Farbod EsnaashariofSports Illustrated noted the injury is a sprained ACL.
"I think right now there's confidence that the Suns are going to get Chris Paul back in the series," said Wojnarowskisaidon NBA Countdown before Game 2. "That confidence of Kawhi Leonard being back is not there right now in L.A."
Game 3 is set for 9 p.m. ET Thursday on ESPN.
Clippers' DeMarcus Cousins Assessed Technical Foul for Shoving Devin Booker
Jun 23, 2021
Los Angeles Clippers center DeMarcus Cousins reacts after scoring during an NBA basketball game Sunday, May 9, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Cousins was punished for his actions one day later.
On Wednesday, NBA Official announced Cousins was issued a technical foul for the shove upon further review, although there was no fine or suspension.
DeMarcus Cousins (LAC) has been assessed a postgame technical foul upon league review for actions at the conclusion of the game on 6/22/21. pic.twitter.com/VrS2MU8ZS3
Booker and the Suns were celebrating one of the most memorable plays in recent NBA history when Cousins shoved him. The celebration came after Deandre Ayton dunked home an incredible alley-oop pass from Jae Crowder in the final second to give the Suns the 104-103 victory and a 2-0 lead in the series.
Prior to that, Paul George missed two critical free throws that could have pushed the Clippers' lead to three. The visitors also failed to grab the rebound on Mikal Bridges' missed three-pointer and knocked the ball out of bounds, which is what set up the Crowder-to-Ayton assist.
While Cousins now has an additional technical foul on his record, this is not unfamiliar territory for Los Angeles.
It lost the first two games of its first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks and the first two games of its second-round series against the Utah Jazz only to come back and advance to the Western Conference Finals.
Doing so for a third straight series may ultimately prove too difficult, as Kawhi Leonard has not played in the conference finals because of a knee injury and Phoenix may be set to get its veteran leader back.
Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported Chris Paul plans to return for Game 3 "barring an unforeseen setback."
Paul has yet to play in this series because of the league's health and safety protocols.
Woj: Clippers Not Confident Kawhi Leonard Will Return from Injury vs. Suns
Jun 23, 2021
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) controls the ball during Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Los Angeles, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The likelihood that Kawhi Leonard will return from a right knee injury before the end of the Western Conference Finals gets lower with each passing day.
Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski (h/t RealGM.com), the Los Angeles Clippers' confidence in having Leonard available at any point in their series against the Phoenix Suns "is not there right now."
Leonard injured his knee at the 5:25 mark of the fourth quarter in Los Angeles' Game 4 win over the Utah Jazz in the second round June 14.
Even though the Clippers have been coy about Leonard's diagnosis, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported the team was concerned the five-time All-Star suffered an ACL injury.
Per Farbod Esnaashari of Sports Illustrated, Leonard sprained his ACL.
The Clippers have taken a day-to-day approach with Leonard's availability. He didn't travel with the team to Phoenix for the first two games of the Western Conference Finals in order to continue rehabbing his knee, per Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.
Los Angeles won its final two games against Utah to advance. It has lost Games 1 and 2 against Phoenix, marking the third consecutive playoff series it has faced a 2-0 hole.
Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals will be played at the Staples Center at 9 p.m. ET Thursday.
Leonard was averaging 30.4 points on 57.3 percent shooting, 7.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 11 playoff starts prior to the injury.
