Suns 84 vs 80 Clippers: scores, summary, stats, highlights | NBA Playoff Game 4
The Phoenix Suns are headed back to Arizona with a 3-1 lead over the Los Angeles Clippers. It was a wire-to-wire win for the visitors who used ferocious defense to outlast the Suns in a slugfest in the Staples Center. Devin Booker led the charge before fouling out, as the Suns held on for an 84-80 win in LA.
Kawhi still sidelined with knee injury
For the sixth straight game Kawhi Leonard’s injured knee kept him sidelined, as the shorthanded Clippers looked to even the series at home.
The Suns got off to blazing start jumping out to a 14-2 lead in the first minutes of the game. Deandre Ayton set the pace for Phoenix getting some good looks from close range in the early going.
Clippers cold in the first half
After the win on Thursday, the Clippers entered Game 4 ice cold, especially from long distance. They shot just 4 for 22 from three point range, while entering the halftime break shooting under 30% from the field. There was a six minute stretch in the second quarter when Los Angeles failed to score a single point, which allowed the Suns to build a double digit halftime lead.
While the home side struggled to find the bottom of the basket, the Suns failed to deliver the knock out punch in the first half, leaving the door open for another Clipper comeback bid.
No Clipper comeback in Game 4
The Clippers have been the comeback kids of this postseason. They have not only overcome being down 0-2 in the first two series of the playoffs, but they have also made big comebacks over the course of a handful of games. The most notable comeback was the 22 points half time deficit that was erased in Game 6 against the Jazz.
LA looked to be on course for another come from behind effort in the third quarter when Paul George and Reggie Jackson put the team on their back and closed the 16 point gap down to two in the third quarter.
Suns D enough to seal wire-to-wire win
It was a three point game going into the fourth after a 30-19 quarter for Los Angeles. The Suns continued to hold off the Clippers with some incredible defending late on and clutch free throw shooting in the final minutes.
LA got within one point of tying in the fourth quarter, but Monty Williams’ strategy to put the Clippers on the line with a three point lead in the final possessions paid off as the Suns strut out of Staples Center with a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals.
Booker and Ayton carry Phoenix
Devin Booker carried the Suns scoring 25 points in a defensive slugfest. He went just 8 of 22 from the field, but his nine free throws many of which came late on was enough for Phoenix. Deandre Ayton scored 19 and had a monster game on the glass dragging down 22 rebounds, nine of which were offensive. Chris Paul finished with 18 points and 7 assists, but struggled again from the field shooting just 6 of 22.
Another game without Kawhi Leonard meant Paul George was going to have to have a big Game 4. George scored 23 points, but made just five of his 20 field goal attempts. Ivica Zubac posted another double-double while setting a season high for minutes played. Reggie Jackson caught fire in the third quarter and finished with 20 points, but the Clippers were never able to take the lead from the Suns.
Suns a game away from NBA Finals
The series will now head back to Arizona, where the Suns can close out the Western Conference Finals and stamp their name in the NBA Finals. Game 5 will tip off from Phoenix Suns Arena on Monday at 9 pm ET.
Booker ditched the mask later in the game, seemingly bothered by the protection, but not on this finger roll.
The Phoenix Suns are headed back to Arizona with a 3-1 lead over the Los Angeles Clippers. It was a wire-to-wire win for the visitors who used ferocious defense to outlast the Suns in a slugfest in the Staples Center. Devin Booker led the charge before fouling out, as the Suns held on for an 84-80 win in LA.
Kawhi still sidelined with knee injury
For the sixth straight game Kawhi Leonard’s injured knee kept him sidelined, as the shorthanded Clippers looked to even the series at home.
The Suns got off to blazing start jumping out to a 14-2 lead in the first minutes of the game. Deandre Ayton set the pace for Phoenix getting some good looks from close range in the early going.
Clippers cold in the first half
After the win on Thursday, the Clippers entered Game 4 ice cold, especially from long distance. They shot just 4 for 22 from three point range, while entering the halftime break shooting under 30% from the field. There was a six minute stretch in the second quarter when Los Angeles failed to score a single point, which allowed the Suns to build a double digit halftime lead.
While the home side struggled to find the bottom of the basket, the Suns failed to deliver the knock out punch in the first half, leaving the door open for another Clipper comeback bid.
No Clipper comeback in Game 4
The Clippers have been the comeback kids of this postseason. They have not only overcome being down 0-2 in the first two series of the playoffs, but they have also made big comebacks over the course of a handful of games. The most notable comeback was the 22 points half time deficit that was erased in Game 6 against the Jazz.
LA looked to be on course for another come from behind effort in the third quarter when Paul George and Reggie Jackson put the team on their back and closed the 16 point gap down to two in the third quarter.
Suns D enough to seal wire-to-wire win
It was a three point game going into the fourth after a 30-19 quarter for Los Angeles. The Suns continued to hold off the Clippers with some incredible defending late on and clutch free throw shooting in the final minutes.
LA got within one point of tying in the fourth quarter, but Monty Williams’ strategy to put the Clippers on the line with a three point lead in the final possessions paid off as the Suns strut out of Staples Center with a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals.
Booker and Ayton carry Phoenix
Devin Booker carried the Suns scoring 25 points in a defensive slugfest. He went just 8 of 22 from the field, but his nine free throws many of which came late on was enough for Phoenix. Deandre Ayton scored 19 and had a monster game on the glass dragging down 22 rebounds, nine of which were offensive. Chris Paul finished with 18 points and 7 assists, but struggled again from the field shooting just 6 of 22.
Another game without Kawhi Leonard meant Paul George was going to have to have a big Game 4. George scored 23 points, but made just five of his 20 field goal attempts. Ivica Zubac posted another double-double while setting a season high for minutes played. Reggie Jackson caught fire in the third quarter and finished with 20 points, but the Clippers were never able to take the lead from the Suns.
Suns a game away from NBA Finals
The series will now head back to Arizona, where the Suns can close out the Western Conference Finals and stamp their name in the NBA Finals. Game 5 will tip off from Phoenix Suns Arena on Monday at 9 pm ET.
Game 4 is all over. The Suns are going back to Arizona with a 3-1 lead.
Paul hits two of two to close the game out.
George missed the second intentionally, and Paul comes up with the loose rebound.
Paul fouled by Beverley, goes to the line and hits one of two. His streak of 36 consecutive FTs comes to an end. George immediatley fouled with 3.2 seconds to go after the rebound.
Cousins hits the first, but doesn't his the rim on the second. Violation and Suns ball.
George fouled by Bridges, with 6.3 second to go. George misses the first, and intentionally misses the second. Foul on the rebound against Saric, Cousins to the line to shoot two .
Timeout Clippers with 7 seconds to go in the fourth quarter.
Paul fouled by George, both FTs good for Paul. He has made 35 consecutive FTs.
13.2 seconds to go in the fourth, Suns TO up by one.
George fouled by Bridges, he hits two of two.
17.4 Seconds to go, the refs reviewed who the ball went off last, and the Clippers will have the ball down by three.
Timeout Suns with 53.1 to go in the fourth.
Mann off the pick and roll gets the bucket off the George assist.
The call has been reversed, and it's an offensive foul on Booker, who has fouled out.
Booker fouled by Beverley on the drive, Clippers are going to challenge the call. 1:05 to go in the fourth.
Timeout Clippers with 1:34 to go in the fourth.
2:15 to go in the fourth.
Booker fouled by Zubac, hits two of two FTs.
3:30 to go in the fourth quarter.
Paul gets the lay up off the drive to the basket.
Timeout Suns with 4:56 to go in the fourth.
Jackson pulls up from the elbow off the Zubac screen.
Booker from the elbow
Jackson to the line, and hits two of two. 6 minutes to go
Ayton on the alle oop off the pick and roll out of the TO.
Timeout on the floor from LA. 6:25 to go in the fourth quarter of Game 4.
8:15 to go in the fourth quarter.
Booker gets a technical foul for shoving George after fouling George. Technical FT is good, and one of two FTs from the personal drop.
George pulls up off the dribble from a step inside the arc.
Booker on the drive, gets the scoring started in the fourth quarter.
We are headed to the fourth quarter with the Suns leading by 3. A 30-19 quater for the Clippers has LA back in this ball game.
Zubac fouled after collecting the offensive rebound, one of two FTs drop.
Mann to the line after the foul from Ayton. misses both.
1 minute to go in the third.
Booker to the line for a third staright possesion. He hits two of two.
Booker fouled and goes back to the line, only gets one of two.
Mann gets to the iron and banks it home.
Booker to the line, hits one of two.
Under two minutes to go in the third.
Jackson from the baseline, off the dribble. He's got 9 points in the third quarter.
Zubac fouled by Ayton after the feed by Jackson, both FT's are good.
Booker pulls up and hits the jumper outside the lane.
George fouled by Johnson, goes to the line and hits one of two.
Jackson hits a three in the face of Paul, and we've got a five point game! TImeout Suns with 3:30 to go in the third.
Bridges pulls up from the baseline.
Jackson with the floater off the glass.
Ayton with the tip in off the miss from Bridges.
George with the pull up jumper from 15 feet.
Zubac down low, and he now has a double double with 10 and 10.
Mann under the basket, gets the bucket and the foul, FT is good to complete the three point play.
6:30 to go in the third quarter. Paul off the dribble off a pretty between the legs move.
Morris hits the turn around from the baseline.
Paul with the mid range jumper from outside the lane.
Beverley called for a technical, after drawing an offensive foul from Paul. Paul hits the FT.
Beverley on the baseline drive, gets the bucket off the glass.
Paul with the jumper in the paint.
George fouled, goes to the line and hits two of two.
Jackson on the reverse lay up from the baseline.
Zubac streaking down the lane and gets a big dunk. 8 points and 9 rebounds for Zubac.
Booker to the line, gets two of two.
We are back in action in the thrid quarter from the Staples Center
The Clippers are shooting under 30%
The Clippers are shooting just 4 of 22 from three point range.
George has 11 points and 5 rebounds.
Ayton has been fanstastic in the first half of Game 4. The Suns big man 15 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks
Just 36 points for the Clippers in the first half. They went over six minutes without a point in the second quarter.
The first half comes to a close from LA.
Bridges gets the lay up off the feed from Paul.
Jackson lets wide open on the perimeter and hits the three in the corner.
Paul hits a jumper over Zubac.
Zubac with the uncontested slam down low.
2 minutes to go in the first half.
Ayton on a turnaround jumper from the baseline
Mann to the line out of the timeout, gets two of two to drop.
Timeout from LA with 2:49 to go in the first half.
George to the line, gets one of two to drop.
Payne strings a three ball from the right side.
George ends the scoreless run that lasted over six minutes for the Clippers.
Booker gets the mid range jumper to go, to break three minute scoreless spell.
5 minutes to go in the first half. CLippers haven't scored in 5 minutes.
Ayton running the floor, finishes the alley oop off the Paul lob. Timeout Clippers with 7:21 to go in the fourth.
Johnson in the corner for three
Saric left along from three point range.
Jackson on the step back jumper from behind the FT line.
Johnson tips in the Paul miss under the basket.
Jackson gets the runner outside the lane to drop.
Kennard with a bucket and a foul out of the quarter change. FT is no good.
Booker leads all scorers with 9 points.
Kinnard misses a three ball to end the first quarter.
Booker on the drive and finish with his off hand.
One minute to go in the first quarter.
Ayton tips the Payne miss in with the left hand.
Mann sinks a three ball
Ayton gets a two on the hook shot after Zubac is called for a goaltend.
Payne gets a technical, that's two already in the game. FT is good for the Clippers.
Batum in the far corner for three
Ayton fouled by Morris, goes to the line and gets both to drop.
George goes to the line, and hits both.
Technial called against George, after he got fouled by Booker, a little bit of a push on Booker give the Suns a technical FT, which is made by Booker.
George with the drive and lay up out of the timeout
Ayton on the follow off the Booker miss. Timeout in LA with 4:28 in the first quarter
Payne gets the roll on the jumper after coming off the bench.
Booker with a high arching shot over Zubac in the paint.
Zubac gets the floater to go off the feed from Jackson.
Morris hits the runner across the lane.
George drills a three pointer from the top of the key.
Booker on the up and under jumper.
Bridges gets the two on the fast break after George is whistled for the goaltend.
Crowder in the corner for three! 10 points in two minutes for the Suns and the Clippers need a timeout. 9:45 to go in the first quarter.
Booker gets the roll on the lay up off the fast break .
Paul gets inside and gets the short range effort to go,
Zubac on the dunk after the dump off from Morris.
Ayton on the pick and roll goes to the basket and gets the foul, FT is good.
Game 4 is underway from LA.
We are just moments away from tip off to Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals between the Suns and the Clippers.
Booker is wearing the protective mask after breaking his nose in Game 2. How much of the his shooting struggles can be attributed to the mask?
Paul played 39 minutes in his return. With Cam Payne back and healthy will he have to play as much tonight?
Devin Booker is averaging 25 points per game in this series, but has shot just 10 for 37 from the field in the last two games. He will be key to Phoenix's chances of going home with a 3-1 lead after tonight.
Paul George is averaging over 29 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists in this series without Kawhi Leonard.
Cam Payne twisted his ankle in the first quarter of last game, but as you can see by the Suns twitter, they have no one sidelined for tonight's contest.
While the Suns were happy to have Chris Paul back after the point guard was sidelined with Covid, there seemed to be a bit of an interruption of the offense in Game 3. The Suns were playing fantastic basketball in the first two games in Arizona but they didn't seem in synch last season.
The Clippers have had one of the more eventful postseasons in recent history. They have gone down 0-2 for the third straight series this postseason. They won every road game in the first round series against the Mavs, and they will carry on tonight without Kawhi Leonard.
Booker looking back to the beginning of the nine game win streak, “After we won one versus the Lakers and lost two, we’re down 2-1 in L.A. You come in the gym, and everyone is laughing and having a good time, but focused. There’s an understanding around the team what our next objective is. So, it’s not really talked about that much. You just feel it in the energy, even when you’re laughing, having a good time out there. Everybody is zeroed in and locked in.”
The Suns had won nine straight games after going down 2-1 to the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs.
Thursday's Game 3 loss was the Suns first loss since May 27th.
Kawhi Leonard has been ruled out of tonight's Game 4. He hasn't played since Game 4 against the Jazz. LA has been very quiet about the nature of Leonard's injury.
For the third time this post season, the Clippers find themselves having to battle back from an 0-2 hole. Their first two comebacks were successful, will the third time be a charm as well?
Hello everyone and welcome to the Staples Center, we are just about an hour away from tip off of Game 4 in the Western Conference Finals.
Hello everyone and welcome to Los Angeles for Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. The home side will have a chance to even up the series with a win tonight after going down 0-2 in Arizona. AS English will have live coverage, updates, scores and stats of tonights contest between the Suns and the Clippers from the Staples Center.
LA keep hope alive with Game 3 win
The Los Angeles Clippers were in a must win situation going into Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. A fantastic second half, and another dominant performance from Paul George was enough to give the Kawhi-less Clippers to the 106-92 victory.
In each of the three series the Clippers have been in this postseason they have dug themselves a 2-0 hole, but as they have all playoffs a charismatic performance in Game 3 has brought them back to life in the Conference Finals.
Kawahi sidelined for Game 4
The Clippers will be without Kawhi Leonard again tonight. He has been sidelined since Game 5 of against the Jazz last round. The Suns got good news before the game on Thursday as Chris Paul got the green light to return to action for Game 3 after he recovering from Covid.
Devin Booker and Paul were ice cold out of the gate going a combined 1-14 from the field. The Suns looked out of sink as the conductor of Suns offense came back after a lengthy break on the sidelines.
Los Angeles took control of Game 3 in the early minutes of the third quarter with a 21-3 run to stretch the lead out to 15 points. A 34-21 third quarter gave the Clippers an eight point advantage going into the fourth. LA kept the Suns at an arms distance for the final 12 minutes courtesy of some terrific defending.
George sets the tone as the Clips lock down the Suns
The Clippers defense led the way in the second half, holding Phoenix to under 40%. The Suns shot over 50% in the opening two game of the series, but he Clips D and the crowd at Staples Center effected the second seeded Suns.
With no Kawhi, Paul George led the way for the Clippers, posting 27 points, 15 rebounds and 8 assists in the biggest game of Los Angeles’s season. He got help in the form of Ivica Zubac. The Serbian had a double-double in the first half and finished with 15 points and 16 rebonds.
Paul and Booker both struggled in the Staples Center
Paul and Booker were limited by the stingy Clippers defense. Both finished with just 15 points, going a combined 10-40 from the field. Maybe the worst news for the Suns is the injury Cam Payne suffered in the late stages of the first quarter. Payne twisted his ankle in a loose ball scrum at mid court and didn’t return.
The Clippers now look to go from an 0-2 deficit to leveling up the series for the third straight time this post season.
Game 4 from the Staples Center is set for Saturday at 9 pm ET/ 6 PT.