The Phoenix Suns and the LA Clippers faced off each other for Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.
While the Suns looked to take another win, the Clippers aimed to even out the series with a win.
In fact, the Clippers were so close to winning the game and evening out the series but all came crashing down in the final seconds.
DeAndre Ayton came up with a game-winner for the Suns in the final seconds that put the Suns ahead.
Ultimately, the Suns defeated the Clippers 104-103 and took a 2-0 lead on Tuesday in the 7 game series in the finals.
Cameron Payne led the Suns followed by Deandre Ayton and Devin Booker.
On the other hand, Paul George led the Clippers followed by Reggie Jackson.
The Suns entered the court without Chris Paul while the Clippers were without Kawhi Leonard.
It was a very competitive game between the two as neither of the team dominated each other for long with more scores.
But the Suns were able to come up with a win in the final seconds.
The Suns took the lead in the first quarter.
Marcus Morris Sr started the first quarter with a put-back on his own miss jumper.
Ivica Zubac dropped a layup after Morris’s miss, putting the Clippers 6-0 ahead of the Suns a few minutes into the game.
Deandre Ayton subsequently answered back with a layup for the Suns.
They were 8-4 with 8:19 remaining in the quarter and the Clippers with 4 point lead.
Cameron Payne made a reverse layup and Ayton dropped a floater, tying the game at 8-8.
Payne knocked down a three-pointer and the Suns took the lead for the first time in the game.
Terence Mann knocked down a fadeaway jumper while Jae Crowder came up with an alley-oop for Deandre Ayton, who dunked it home.
Jae Crowder to Deandre Ayton for the FEROCIOUS oop to get the @Suns crowd hyped!#NBAWCF presented by AT&T on ESPN pic.twitter.com/rQVBmsFTYI
— NBA (@NBA) June 23, 2021
They were all tied up again at 15-15 with 3:25 remaining in the quarter.
As Ayton grabbed a rebound and dropped the bucket after Booker’s miss.
Paul George answered back with a layup and another fadeaway jumper on the next possession.
Payne drove straight to the rim, dropping a jumper with 1.9 seconds remaining in the quarter.
Cam Payne attacks in transition by reaching a sprint speed of 16.7 mph, tracked by #NBACourtOptix powered by Microsoft Azure! pic.twitter.com/hyXaXPT1s1
— NBA (@NBA) June 23, 2021
The quarter ended 25-22 with the Suns taking the lead into the second quarter.
The Clippers cut the lead in the second quarter.
Payne started the second quarter with a layup. Subsequently, Dario Saric came up with a dunk on the next possession.
They were 25-29 with 8:46 remaining in the quarter as Payne blocked Demarcus Cousins at the rim.
But the Clippers retrieved the ball and Rajon Rondo dropped a three-pointer.
Devin Booker dropped a three-pointer and Terence Mann answered back with a three-pointer on George’s pass.
Cameron Johnson came up with a hook shot and Rondo answered back with a three-pointer.
Paul George dropped a jumper as the Suns take 3 point lead.
Subsequently, Payne came up with a floater on the other end. Reggie Jackson answered back with a jump shot.
Payne knocked down a three-pointer and they were 46-40 with under four minutes left in the quarter.
Patrick Beverly blocked Devin Booker and subsequently, knocked down a three-pointer on the other side.
Making plays on both ends of the court. pic.twitter.com/CVpcaFaFJU
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) June 23, 2021
Booker dropped a jumper and Marcus answered back with a jumper as well.
The quarter ended with 48-47 with the Suns in the lead by a point.
The Suns continued to take the lead in the third quarter.
Paul George knocked down a jumper next and the Clippers took a two-point lead over a minute into the quarter.
Booker dropped a jump shot and tied the score. Subsequently, the Suns took the lead.
George found Zubac inside the rim for a dunk and the Clippers tied the game.
Payne came up with a layup, giving the Suns a five-point lead.
They were 59-65 with a little over five minutes left in the quarter as Ayton dropped a dunk on Booker’s pass.
Jackson answered back with a three-pointer as a result the Clippers cut the lead to five points.
Booker got injured after Beverly fouled him, causing him to bleed.
They were 69-73 with under a minute left to play with the Suns in the lead.
George dropped a jumper and the quarter ended 71-75 with the Suns taking a four-point lead into the fourth quarter.
The Suns came up with a win in the final seconds of the fourth quarter.
They were 74-77 over a minute into the game as Payne dropped a floater.
Rondo dropped a layup and assisted Zubac for a one-handed dunk. Jackson knocked down a three-pointer on the next possession.
Payne answered back with a layup and Luke Kennard came up with a three-pointer on the other side.
Cool Hand Luke. 👌🏼 pic.twitter.com/LNS6oI7Ucb
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) June 23, 2021
Beverly then added a three-pointer, cutting the lead to three-points as Mikal Bridges knocked down a three-pointer subsequently.
They were 93-96 with 2:20 remaining in the quarter, as Ayton dropped a hook shot.
Zubac answered back with a jump hook on the other side. Payne came up with a layup.
They were 95-100 with 1:23 remaining in the quarter as Zubac blocked Payne subsequently.
George dropped a layup and the Clippers took a point lead and Booker answered back with a jumper.
Paul George to the rim for the lead
Devin Booker jumper in response.
Paul George again.7.8 seconds left on ESPN. Suns ball. #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/go9S51ibud
— NBA (@NBA) June 23, 2021
Again George dropped a jumper on the other side.
Jae Crowder got inbound and he came up with an alley-opp to Ayton for a dunk that gave the Suns a point lead in the final seconds.
Jae Crowder inbounds it to Deandre Ayton above the rim for the @Suns win in #PhantomCam! #ThatsGame #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/WVNc9xnvio
— NBA (@NBA) June 23, 2021
As a result, the Suns took the win, taking a 2-0 series lead over the Suns.
Scoreboard:
Cameron Payne led the Suns, scoring NBA playoffs career-high 29 points along with 9 assists. He also made 2 blocks and 2 steals on the defensive end.
While Deandre Ayton came up with 24 points and 14 rebounds double-double.
“I just trust my teammates and my coaches. Jae threw a great pass,” Deandre Ayton post-game on his game-winner.
And Devin Booker dropped 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Cameron Johnson and Dario Saric both contributed 11 points and 3 rebounds all coming off the bench. Saric also added 2 asssts.
“I’m really proud of this team. I’m really grateful to be a part of it. It’s something really special,” said Cameron Johnson.
On the other hand, Paul George led the Clippers, dropping 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.
While Reggie Jackson came up with 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Meanwhile, Ivica Zubac made 14 points and 11 rebounds double-double.
Luke Kennard dropped 10 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists coming off the bench.
All the Clippers players were able to score in the game.
The Suns and the Clippers will face each other once again for Game 3 on Thursday.
The big question would be: Can the Clippers make a comeback like their previous playoffs series? Or will the Suns take another win over the Clippers?
