The LA Clippers and the Phoenix Suns faced each other for Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals.
After cutting the 3-1 series lead to 3-2, the Clippers aimed to tie the series at 3-3 against the Suns. However, the Suns had other plans.
With NBA finals on the line, the Suns put up an A-level performance in the game against the Clippers.
Ultimately, the Suns defeated the Clippers 130-103 and advanced to their first finals in nearly three decades on Wednesday.
With the win, the Suns become the Western Conference champions, and all this possible because of that one player Chris Paul.
Wednesday’s game was not only special for the Suns but also Chris Paul.
As his dream of entering the NBA finals came true after 16 years. Chris Paul was just out of this world in the game and led the Suns to the win.
The Suns started strong, taking the early lead over the Clippers and maintaining that till the end to ultimately take the win in the end.
A strong start from the Suns.
Chris Paul‘s alley-oop to Mikal Bridges for a dunk started the first quarter of the game.
Patrick Beverly answered back, making a hook shot on the other side.
Devin Booker drove straight to the bucket, dropping a layup. Paul George answered back with a layup.
Deandre Ayton came up with a jump hook and Beverly knocked down a three-pointer and the game tied at 9-9.
Chris Paul subsequently answered back with a three-pointer back-to-back.
They were 17-13 with about five minutes remaining in the quarter as Paul George made a jump shot.
The Clippers took their first lead however Booker dropped a jumper and took the lead right back.
Ayton dropped a layup and Cameron Payne drove straight to the rim on the next possession but Marcus Morris Sr. blocked his shot at the rim.
Soon Payne knocked down a three-pointer, leading to a 9-0 run.
Cousins came up with a bucket from behind the arc and Booker answered back with a three-pointer.
Booker’s alley-oop to Ayton for a dunk extended the Suns lead and Cousins knocked down a three-pointer at the buzzer on the other side.
The quarter ended 33-29 with the Suns taking the lead.
The Suns extend the lead in the second quarter.
Cameron Payne made a hook shot. Terence Mann tipped off Cousins’s miss.
Dario Saric came up with a bucket from behind the arc and Paul added a jump shot on the next possession.
Subsequently, Saric knocked down a three-pointer and George answered back with a layup on the other side.
Marcus Morris came up with a jump shot and Paul answered back with a jumper.
Beverly dropped a layup and the Clippers cut the lead within a point just over halfway into the quarter.
Booker drove straight to the rim, knocking down a dunk. The game tied at 50-50 with about five minutes left in the quarter.
Subsequently, Jae Crowder knocked down a three-pointer and Booker drew a foul, dropping a fadeaway jumper.
Marcus Morris came up with a jump shot while Crowder dropped a three-pointer on the other side.
Morris knocked down a three-pointer on the next possession. Crowder added a three-pointer on the other side.
Hence the quarter ended 66-57 with the Suns extending the lead.
The Suns dominated the Clippers in the third quarter.
The Clippers cut the lead to six points early in the third quarter.
Chris Paul came up with a jumper on the other side and Morris answered back with a layup.
Crowder knocked down a three-pointer on Mikal’s pass. Mikal drove straight to the rim and dropped a layup and also drew a foul.
George dropped a jump shot and Booker came up with a dunk on the other end.
Morris knocked down a jumper halfway into the quarter and Torrey Craig answered back, dropping a three-pointer on the other side.
Mikal came up with a layup on Craig’s pass.
Subsequently, Morris knocked down a three-pointer and the Clippers cut the lead to 10 points.
Nicolas Batum added a bucket, making a three-pointer and Paul answered back with a three-pointer.
Chris Paul pulls up from distance to give him the Suns last 8 points in the 3rd quarter!@Suns 97@LAClippers 83
4th quarter of Game 6 coming up on ESPN pic.twitter.com/gaVUuKunEb
— NBA (@NBA) July 1, 2021
He again added a layup on the next possession.
The quarter ended 97-83 with the Suns taking the lead by 14 points.
The Suns ended the Clippers playoff run.
Cousins drew a foul while dropping a jumper and Paul answered back with a layup and a jumper on the next possession.
He added a pull-up jumper and the lead extended to 20 points.
Subsequently, Morris knocked down a three-pointer at the shot clock buzzer.
Booker dropped a layup and George answered back with a jumper on the other side.
Paul drew a foul, knocking down a bucket from behind the arc. Ayton added a floater on the next possession.
Likewise, Paul dropped a three-pointer and the Suns extended the lead to 28 points halfway into the quarter.
🚨 37 POINTS FOR CP3! 🚨@Suns in control, 5:49 left on ESPN pic.twitter.com/wiGUccpp6Q
— NBA (@NBA) July 1, 2021
George knocked down a three-pointer on the other side and Terence Mann dropped a dunk on Reggie Jackson‘s pass.
Paul answered back, knocking down a three-pointer with about two minutes remaining in the quarter.
And the game ended 130-103 with the Suns dominating the Clippers and taking the win to enter the NBA finals.
A special win for the Suns and Chris Paul.
Patience is what defines both the Suns and Chris Paul. As both waited a long time for this one dream that is, to enter the NBA finals.
It took nearly three decades (28 years to be exact) for the Suns to get their Western Conference Finals and enter the NBA Finals.
While it took 16 years (that is 16 seasons) for the Suns’ star Chris Paul to play in the NBA Finals.
“I want it, not just for myself, but for everyone in that locker room,” Chris Paul said after the game.
"I want it, not just for myself, but for everyone in that locker room."@CP3 reflects after clinching his first trip to the #NBAFinals presented by YouTube TV with the @Suns.#NBAWCF presented by AT&T pic.twitter.com/FtGOKx8V3c
— NBA (@NBA) July 1, 2021
No doubt Paul is one of the best in the business and showed his best performance in Game 6 of the Conference Finals.
He led the Suns, scoring game-high 41 points along with 4 rebounds and 8 assists on incredible 16-of-24 shooting (66.7%) with 0 turnovers.
In addition, he now is the 4th player to have 40 plus points with no turnovers in a Conference Finals game since turnovers became official (1977-78).
Hence he now joins Michael Jordan, Shaq, and Hakeem with that stat.
Besides Paul, other players also helped him to achieve this win.
Devin Booker contributed 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists.
While Jae Crowder finished with 19 points and 5 rebounds.
Likewise, Deandre Ayton made 16 points and grabbed 17 rebounds double-double.
NBA world reacts to Paul’s first NBA finals.
Chris Paul‘s brilliant performance and entry to the NBA Finals for the first time created the buzz all around the NBA.
With his friends and the NBA world congratulating him.
Suns coach Monty Williams said on Chris Paul reaching the Finals, “He wants to be a part of winning. He’s persevered through a lot. Injuries, playoff heartbreak, being as close as he was in Houston & getting hurt & not having a chance to compete for a title, I know that burned him.”
“It took him 16 years,” Jae Crowder said. “That tells you how hard it is to get to this moment.”
“He’s one of the best point guards to ever play the game and that’s a fact,” Devin Booker said. “And everybody knows that.”
Yo @Suns y’all did that. Respect. Congrats. 16 yrs a long time @CP3 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) July 1, 2021
Now the Suns will face the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Atlanta Hawks for the NBA finals.
BOOGIE banks it in from 3-point land to beat the 1st quarter buzzer!#NBAPlayoffs on ESPN pic.twitter.com/YIV5JaZyH5
— NBA (@NBA) July 1, 2021
