You want to talk about a gutsy playoff win. The Los Angeles Clippers just went into Phoenix and stole Game 1 in about the toughest way possible, with 38 points from Kawhi Leonard, a relentless offensive-rebounding attack and gritty, pressure defense in the absence of Paul George.
Final score: Clippers 115, Suns 110.
We've definitely got a series even with George out.
Westbrook had a miserable night shooting, going 3 of 19 from the field. But he was all over the offensive glass, particularly down the stretch as the Clippers won massive possessions with second-chance shots. And he was terrific defensively all night.
Westbrook sealed the win with the best defensive play of the night. With the clock ticking down toward 10 seconds remaining and the Clippers, courtesy of a pair of Westbrook free throws, clinging to a three-point lead, Devin Booker tried to take Westbrook one on one and got absolutely stonewalled. Westbrook stayed attached to Booker, blocked his shot, and then capped the sequence by tossing the ball against Booker's body before it landed out of bounds.
Clippers ball. A pair of Eric Gordon free throws. Game over.
Leonard played all but two minutes of the second half, including the entire third quarter. You wondered if Ty Lue was going to find any rest for him at all. He stole a couple minutes early in the fourth, and it proved the right call as Leonard was brilliant down the stretch with 13 points in the final frame, including consecutive 3-pointers on two vital late possessions.
The first 3 in that sequence came courtesy of a Westbrook offensive board, one of 15 by the Clippers. After Kawhi hit his two 3s, he then found Gordon for a dagger 3 after nearly being tied up in the paint.
If you'd forgotten about Leonard or even given up on him as a tier-one superstar as he has load-managed his way into about as deep a layer of obscurity that a player of his caliber can go, this was your reminder: When Leonard is right, which he has been for quite a while now, he can be the best player in the world on any given night. He certainly looked that way when it mattered most on Sunday.
For Phoenix, Kevin Durant led the way with a near triple-double: 27 points, 11 assists and nine boards. Devin Booker added 26, Torrey Craig 22 and Deandre Ayton 18. Chris Paul had some moments getting downhill to his elbow spots and into the lane with his defender on his back, but he just couldn't get his game going in the scoring department, finishing with just seven points to go with 10 assists.
Phoenix battled. Both teams did. This was a wild finish to a super competitive game, if not the prettiest one throughout. Durant and Booker were both inspired defensively. The Suns needs to clean up the glass. Ayton needs to rev his motor in that department. Paul needs to find some of his midrange magic. Durant is due for a big game, and Booker will do his thing. But you can't count on 22 from Craig again. The margin for error in this series is small on both sides. Nobody would be surprised if it goes seven.
Game 2 is set for Tuesday in Phoenix: 10 p.m. ET on ABC