LA Clippers in trouble vs the Phoenix Suns down 3-1 in the 1st Round of the NBA Playoffs- April 2023

The NBA Playoffs first round started with an exciting first two games in Phoenix with the visiting LA Clippers getting a split. Kawhi Leonard showed his star power scoring over 30 points each of the first two games and the team played great and took a huge game by Devin Booker to beat them in game 2. LA got some terrible news right before game 3 as Leonard was scratched with a sore knee.  Despite Norman Powell have a 42 points in a career high game and Westbrook going over 30, the Clippers were no match for Durant, Booker, Ayton and Chris Paul. Torey Craig played a key role hitting open 3 point shots and playing solid defense.

The Clippers continue to get hit with the injury bug in the playoffs again. Their key stars continue the same pattern which is very frustrating. Losing Paul George through at least the first round was difficult enough but Leonard was the biggest blow as he was playing some dominant basketball. The Clippers battled in game 4 despite playing shorthanded with Westbrook getting 37 points and playing a monster game but Phoenix was too tough and refused to give up their lead to take a 3-1 series advantage heading back home for game five. Unless there’s a miracle, it looks like the season will be over and yet another disappointment. www.nba.com/clippers