The Phoenix Suns were 9-2 in the playoffs 2021 when they faced the Clippers in Game 2 of WCF. They took the first quarter in style as the visitors could not do anything about De’Andre Ayton and the mind-blowing Cameron Payne.
For the Clippers, it was the same duo of Paul George and Reggie Jackson that came in handy in the beginning. It looked to be a nasty fistfight between the two Pacific Division teams that were both playing in the absence of their leaders. However, that fight took on a literal meaning when something rather scary happened.
Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker with a bloody injury against the Clippers
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At the beginning of the third quarter, the Suns suddenly jumped to a quick nine-point lead and pushed the Clippers off the rail. Later, with under four minutes remaining in Q3, the game desperation hit another level with an unintended collision. With Suns leading 69-62 and Devin Booker in possession, Clippers’ Patrick Beverley collided with Booker and smashed his nose. A moment later, Devin was lying on the floor with blood all over his face as Patrick emphasized that it was the Suns’ star who got the sequence wrong.
Devin Booker had already had a very poor start and then ended up with this scary incident. He was 3/10 and had 5 early turnovers to begin the game as the star relied on his teammates to chip in. However, the good news was he rejoined the game after going to the locker for a quick fix to his injured upper nose.
Read more – Devin Booker Reveals How Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul Helped Him in Incredible Game 1 Win Against LA Clippers
What were the other events that stood out?
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For one, it was the unforgiving Phoenix crowd chanting “ref you s**k” after a block call on Jae Crowder. Secondly, both Suns’ forwards in Mikal Bridges and Jae Crowder went scoreless in the first half, allowing the Clippers to bounce back. But one thing that Crowder did well was throwing down a long-range pass towards De’Andre Ayton that became the highlight. The #22 center caught the ball in the air and converted an insane alley-oop dunk over Ivica Zubac.
Look at this dunk from Deandre Ayton. That's how you make your mark on a game early. Really leave an imprint.
An exclamAYTON pointpic.twitter.com/OKWc17wptL
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) June 23, 2021
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Although the Clips were quick to respond with Ivica’s double-double and Reggie’s efficient shotmaking, PG’s struggle kept them low. Who were you supporting tonight?
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