NBA: Kawhi Leonard scores 38, Clippers stun Suns in Game 1

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Kawhi Leonard Clippers NBA

Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers dive for a free ball in the course of the first half Recreation One of many Western Convention First Spherical Playoffs at Footprint Heart on April 16, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. Christian Petersen/Getty Photos/AFP

Kawhi Leonard poured in 38 factors throughout his first playoff recreation in 22 months to steer the Los Angeles Clippers to a 115-110 victory over the host Phoenix Suns on Sunday night time in Recreation 1 of their Western Convention first-round collection.

Leonard was 13 of 24 from the sphere and added 5 rebounds and 5 assists in his first postseason contest since tearing the ACL in his proper knee towards the Utah Jazz in June 2021. Eric Gordon added 19 factors for the fifth-seeded Clippers.

Kevin Durant had 27 factors, 11 assists and 9 rebounds in his first playoff recreation for the fourth-seeded Suns. It marked the primary time Phoenix misplaced in 9 video games with Durant on the court docket.

Devin Booker scored 26 factors, Torrey Craig added 22 and Deandre Ayton had 18 factors and eight rebounds for the Suns.

Recreation 2 is Tuesday night time in Phoenix.

With the Clippers main by three, Russell Westbrook blocked the shot of a driving Booker after which leaped to get the ball and slam it off Booker’s left leg and out of bounds with 10.1 seconds left to present Los Angeles possession. Gordon sealed the competition with two free throws with 7.9 seconds left.

Los Angeles performed with out Paul George (knee).

Norman Powell scored 14 factors, Ivica Zubac added 12 factors and 15 rebounds and Westbrook contributed 9 factors, 10 rebounds, eight assists, three blocks and two steals.

Leonard’s basket and Terance Mann’s three-point play gave the Clippers a 100-96 lead with 4:47 left within the contest. Craig’s three-point play 30 seconds later introduced Phoenix inside one.

Leonard made two 3-pointers and Gordon added one throughout a 9-4 run that gave Los Angeles a 109-103 lead with 1:33 left. However Durant buried a trey and Chris Paul made two free throws because the Suns pulled inside 109-108 with 1:08 remaining.

Westbrook made two free throws with 17.7 seconds left to make it a three-point margin previous to his stellar defensive play.

The Suns made 47.6 % of their field-goal makes an attempt, together with 6 of 19 from 3-point vary. Paul had 11 rebounds and 10 assists however tallied simply seven factors.

Los Angeles hit 44.1 % of its pictures and was 10 of 31 from behind the arc.

The Suns recovered from a 16-point, second-quarter deficit to path 59-54 on the half.

Los Angeles led 68-62 with 8:37 left within the third quarter earlier than Phoenix ripped off 15 consecutive factors, giving the Suns a 77-68 benefit with 4:42 remaining.

The Clippers answered with an 11-2 spurt and tied the sport at 79 on Powell’s jumper with 46.7 seconds left within the interval. The rating was knotted at 81 getting into the ultimate stanza.

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