After falling behind 2-1 to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round, the Phoenix Suns have now won eight consecutive playoff games, the longest streak in their franchise history and the longest for any team since the 2017 Golden State Warriors opened the playoffs 15-0.
Now, after their Game 1 win over the LA Clippers, they’re just three wins away from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993.
Playing in the first conference finals game in Clippers history, George finished with 34 points, looking a lot like the player who led the Indiana Pacers to back-to-back conference finals appearances in 2013 and 2014.
Booker has been brilliant all postseason.
But his most impressive play of that run was when he dug out a loose ball for a long rebound, pushed it in transition and hit Cameron Payne for a wide-open 3.
It might surprise you to learn that in those same four games, George had nearly the exact same averages: 27.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists.
As such, with Leonard sidelined with a knee injury that has kept him out the past three games, the Clippers aren’t faced with replacing their primary option.
Moving forward, potentially still without Leonard, the Clippers don’t need to worry so much about George in the first seat, where he has proved he’ll be fine.
ET on ESPN Game 3: Thursday, 9 p.m.
Ivica Zubac started the second half in place of Morris, and DeMarcus Cousins played off the bench in both halves, utilizing his size advantage against Phoenix backup Dario Saric.
Separating Cousins from backup guard Luke Kennard — who was out of the rotation after halftime — will also help the Clippers shore up the second unit defensively.
A stronger interior scorer, Ayton quickly racked up seven field goals and 14 points in the first half of Sunday’s game, on his way to 20 points and nine rebounds in 37 minutes on the night.
He proved in those matchups that he’s more than capable of being a difference-maker in the playoffs — a difficult hurdle to clear for big men in this day and age.
The 26-year-old scored 11 points and made nine assists against just one turnover in 29 minutes, providing the kind of stabilizing presence the Suns were looking for in Paul’s absence.
The performance has to feel even sweeter for the former lottery pick, who struggled in five disappointing seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Chicago Bulls, but has changed the narrative on his career since signing with Phoenix just before the season restarted in the bubble a year ago.
Payne’s dedication has been apparent throughout the past year, as he played his way back from China to the G League to carve out a consistent role on a title contender.