LA Clippers

Durant And Booker Eliminate Short-handed Clippers

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The first-round NBA playoff series between the Phoenix Suns and LA Clippers started out as an even series. The Clippers shocked the Suns in Game 1 before Phoenix righted the ship and evened the series in Game 2. Then things went off the rails for Los Angeles.

Already without Paul George, the Clippers saw Kawhi Leonard sidelined after Game 2. That put the weight of the series on the shoulders of Russell Westbrook and Normal Powell. The series moved to LA, where the Suns took Games 3 and 4 behind their power pairing of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. As Game 5 took the series back to Phoenix, the Clippers faced elimination and needed a miracle.

Clippers Keep It Close But Crash Out Of The Playoffs

With Leonard still out, the Clippers needed career games from Westbrook and Powell. However, the two players were simply unable to run with the Suns. They combined for 41 points (27 for Powell, 14 for Westbrook), and 10 rebounds. However, they also missed 10 consecutive shots during one ice-cold shooting run. The Clippers bench provided some help, with Nicholas Batum and Mason Plumlee combining for 39 points. Ivica Zubac also finished with a double-double, with 16 points and 10 rebounds. The Clippers even led at the half, having put up 70 first-half points. 40 of those came in the second quarter alone. But it was simply not enough to slow down the Phoenix pain train.

Devin Booker and Kevin Durant became the first duo since 2003 Kobe and Shaq to each score 25 in their first five playoff games. They also became just the second duo to score 25 in every game of a best-of-seven since 1968 Elgin Baylor and Jerry West. Booker led all scorers with a 47-point double-double. Meanwhile, Durant added another 31 points of his own. Their biggest moment was a 38-point third quarter to help erase a 9-point halftime deficit. The Suns scored 50 total points in the quarter. The 136-130 final score was largely a result of the Suns’ bench struggling to put up meaningful points. However, it didn’t matter all that much as Phoenix sealed the win. They will now face #1 seed Denver in the Conference Semifinals. Denver completed their own 4-1 dismantling of the Timberwolves on Tuesday night.

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Twitter Loved Suns-Clippers Game 3

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The first-round NBA matchup between the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers has been one of the highlights of the playoffs so far. Despite the absence of stars like Paul George, the series has been pure basketball. This has set it apart from the foul trouble seen in other matchups. However, the matchup has faded slightly as injury woes have prevented fans from seeing the teams battle at full strength.

Heading into Game 3, the series was tied at 1-1. The Clippers have persevered without George to steal Game 1 in Phoenix. However, a massive Game 2 performance from the Suns’ superstar duo of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker helped tie the series. As the series shifted to LA for Game 3, both sides were looking to take that crucial lead. However, the Clippers would have to do it without Kawhi Leonard, who was ruled out through injury.

Suns Edge Clippers In High-Scoring Thriller

Both teams came to play from the opening tip-off, with the lead see-sawing throughout the first half. Tied at 27 after the first quarter, the Suns took a three-point lead into the half. They were able to push the lead to nine by the end of the three before fending off a Clippers-led fourth to take the game 129-124. The Suns now hold a 2-1 series lead heading into Saturday’s Game 4. Game 4 will once again be held in LA, with the Suns looking to sweep the road games of the series. Leonard has been designated as a “day-to-day” ahead of that crucial weekend game. George will also likely miss the matchup.

There were monster performances for both sides which contributed to the thrilling back-and-forth. With George and Leonard out, Russell Westbrook and Norman Powell stepped up. Powell, who had a combined 26 points through the first two games, put up a career-high 42 in Game 3. Westbrook also contributed 30 points and 12 assists. However, the other Clippers starters struggled, combining for just 13 points. Meanwhile, Durant and Booker put on another clinic for the Suns. Booker led all scorers with 45 points, while Durant added 28. All Suns starters reached double digits points, negating a weak bench showing of 18 combined.

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Clippers-Suns Game 2 Had Twitter Losing It

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The first-round NBA playoff matchup between the LA Clippers and Phoenix Suns may be one of the most intriguing. It’s a rematch of the 2021 Western Conference Finals, although with a few key differences. For one, the Suns now have Kevin Durant. Meanwhile, the Clippers have Russell Westbrook. Furthermore, a 4 v 5 matchup is something of a shock for two teams expected to be Western Conference contenders. However, the Suns ended the season as the fourth seed while the Clippers took the fifth seed.

Despite missing Paul George, the Clippers took Game 1 in a 115-110 shootout. Kawhi Leonard and Eric Gordon combined for 57 points, managing to overcome three 25+ point starters for the Suns. A deciding factor was the Clippers’ defensive prowess, which included holding the Suns to just 18 first-quarter points. Another key element was a poor showing from the Suns’ bench, who combined for just 10 points. That meant it was all to play for in Game 2, with the Suns eager to not fall behind 0-2.

Suns Tie Series With Massive Game 2

In response, the Suns dominated Game 2. Despite a tie game at the half, the Suns played better down the stretch to cap a 123-109 victory. Despite another weak showing from their bench, Durant and Devin Booker combined for 63 points in the win. Booker alone posted 38 points and nine assists. This was combined with no Suns starter dropping less than 14 (though De’Andre Ayton’s 14 was also complimented by 13 rebounds). Furthermore, they almost doubled the Clippers’ assists. This spoke to the Suns’ depth of shooters on a cold night for the Clippers.

The Clippers never let the Suns fully run away with the game, however. Westbrook shook off a 9-point Game 1 to put up 28 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Leonard was once again the team leader with 31 points. However, no Clippers starter finished the game with a positive +/- score. It’s clear that the Clippers are missing Paul George. Nicolas Batum is no replacement in the starting five and played just 19 minutes in Game 2. However, there is no immediate timetable for George’s return. Even though they took Game 1, will that cost the Clippers down the stretch?

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Drake Clapped Back At The LA Clippers’ Shade After They Beat The Toronto Raptors: ‘Win A Ring’

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Drake 2019 NBA Finals
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While he may be a self-proclaimed certified lover boy, rap superstar Drake receives plenty of hate in the sports world. Whether he’s pissing off Barcelona soccer club fans or scarring Argentina soccer club fans after playing a bet on the team to win the world cup, it seems the Drake curse, at least in sports, is real.

After attending his hometown team, the Toronto Raptors game versus the Los Angeles Clippers, the curse streak continued. Following their loss at home, the opposing team took to social media to rub it in.

On Instagram, the basketball team shared a clip in which the “Jimmy Cooks” rapper cheerfully greeted the Clippers’ shooting guard Norman Powell and former Raptor-now-Clipper Kawhi Leonard. In the caption, the team wrote, “Kawhi and Norm with a fan.”

Despite being a fan of the pair, the sport, and even having his own recreational league, Drake didn’t take kindly to not being mentioned by name. After the post was uploaded, he quickly jumped into the comment section to write, “Win a ring,” referring to the franchise’s lack of championship wins. In contrast, the Raptors took home their first championship ring in 2019 — ironically, with Kawhi starting at small forward. He left for the Clippers the next season.