With a 136–130 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, the Phoenix Suns closed out their first-round playoff series 4-1. This victory marks the third year in a row that the Suns have reached the Western Conference semifinals, leaving an injury-stricken Clippers team behind. Devin Booker led the charge by tying his playoff career-high with 47 points, while Kevin Durant added 31 points and Deandre Ayton chipped in with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Despite a strong 27-point effort from Norman Powell, the Clippers couldn't keep pace.
The Phoenix Suns defeated Los Angeles Clippers 136 – 130 to win the series at 4-1 in the first round of the NBA playoffs. With a thrilling win, the Suns sent the injury-riddled Clippers back to Southern California. The Phoenix Suns have advanced to the Western Conference semifinals for the third straight season. The Suns’ Shooting guard Devin Booker tied playoff career-high 47 points. The Suns’ forward Kevin Durant poured in 31 in the series-clinching win while Deandre Ayton had 21 points and 11 rebounds. On the other side, Norman Powell did well for the Clippers, scoring 27 points but in the losing cause.
Devin Booker put on a clinic in the third quarter, delivering one of the most impressive offensive bursts in NBA playoff history. He scored 25 points in that single period, missing only one shot (10-of-11), and showcased his versatility by hitting three-pointers and dominating the midrange. Overall, Booker shot 19-of-27 from the floor and 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. This performance gave the 26-year-old a franchise-best six playoff games with at least 40 points.
The game was effectively decided by a blistering 18-0 run by Phoenix, which saw them outscore Los Angeles 50-24 in the third quarter. This 50-point explosion set a new franchise record for the most points scored in a single playoff quarter. By the time the fourth quarter began, the Suns held a comfortable 111-94 lead.
Refusing to go down without a fight, the Clippers attempted a comeback, nearly erasing a 20-point deficit early in the final period. They sparked a rally with four consecutive three-pointers to put pressure on Phoenix. However, as the final three minutes ticked away, LA missed several crucial opportunities to tie the game. Kevin Durant eventually sealed the victory, hitting a layup to make it 134-130 and following it up with two free throws to secure a six-point lead with just 31.3 seconds remaining.
Reflecting on the game, Devin Booker noted that it served as a reminder to stay aggressive and finish strong until the very last second, warning against becoming complacent when leading. Kevin Durant also praised Booker's impact, mentioning that while he is usually calm, Booker's deep three at the top of the key was an 'electric' moment that energized both the team and the crowd.