Los Angeles — Phoenix Suns rallied in the fourth quarter to upset Los Angeles Clippers 124-108 on Wednesday night. Devin Booker scored 37 and Bradley Beal 26.
After being humiliated in the first quarter in Phoenix the night before, the Suns won. The Clippers led 35-4 and 37 in the second quarter before the Suns pulled close but lost 105-92. “Around this time of the year you’re just trying to win games regardless of the context,” said Phoenix's Kevin Durant, who had 24 points and nine rebounds.
The Wednesday outcome qualified Golden State and Los Angeles Lakers for the play-ins. The Suns sit seventh in the West, half a game behind New Orleans for the sixth and last playoff spot. “We've been preaching with the play-in that all these games are playoff games,” Booker said. “It will be intense, and losing will be the worst ever. Winning is good.”
The Suns scored 13 straight to lead 114-106 in a game-ending 23-2 run. The Clippers were frigid, watching attempts bounce off the rim or spin out. “I liked how organized we were in the fourth quarter and the commitment to get stops,” said Vogel. “We knew if we stayed together and persevered we would win.”
Bones Hyland scored a career-high 37 points, including six 3-pointers, and had nine assists for the Clippers, who had won four straight and seven of eight. In a contest with 22 lead changes and 10 ties, Brandon Boston Jr. scored 23 points off the bench.
I like how we didn't let him touch the ball as much in the fourth quarter, Durant said of Hyland. Give him credit—he's a quick player. Bones should get a chance to show off his skills every night in this league.” The Clippers, who won the Pacific Division for the first time in 10 years, could have claimed the fourth West seed with a win. Dallas, which defeated Miami Wednesday, will be their first-round playoff opponent.
Down the stretch the game got away and we couldn't make a shot,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “I think the guys wore out.” The Clippers started their second unit while Kawhi Leonard (knee), Paul George (knee), James Harden (foot), Ivica Zubac (ankle), and Russell Westbrook (hand) rested. Leonard missed his sixth straight game.
Each side scored 37 points in the third, with Amir Coffey scoring five straight to put the Clippers up 93-92 in the fourth. Early in the third, Hyland nailed two 3s, the second off a steal. The Clippers led 56-55 at halftime after Hyland scored 24 points on 10 of 12 field goals and all four 3-pointers.
The Suns opened the second 23-9 against the Clippers to lead by 15. In a 20-4 run, Hyland scored nine points and made a 3-pointer at the buzzer to cap the half. Jusuf Nurkic returned for the Suns after missing Tuesday with a right ankle strain. His three points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists helped Phoenix win its first game over the Clippers in four this season.
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