Suns Eliminate Clippers in Game 5 Shootout

PHOENIX -- Needing just one more win to officially put the Los Angeles Clippers to bed, the Phoenix Suns did just that in a 136-130 Game 5 victory.

The Suns will now face the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Semifinals. Game 1 is scheduled for Saturday, April 29 after both Phoenix and Denver won their respective elimination games.

Prior to the matchup, Suns coach Monty Williams spoke on just how difficult it is to win a close-out game:

“I just think it’s hard to win any game, let alone trying to win a series. That’s just what every coach would say, it’s a difficult task in the playoffs in general, just because of the minutes, the different defenses and all of that stuff that go into winning a game, but I don’t think that’s ever been the mindset for us," Williams said.

"We’ve just tried to approach it knowing the goal but you take it step by step, try to do the next right thing and that’s something that our guys have adopted from day one and we just want to stick to that.”

Still without Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers wouldn't go down without a fight. Los Angeles led at halftime before a franchise record 50-point third quarter from Phoenix pushed the Suns out of reach.

Devin Booker led the way with 47 points, establishing a Suns franchise record for most 40+ point games in the postseason and tying a career high in the playoffs. Kevin Durant also chipped in with 31 points while Deandre Ayton posted a 21-11 double-double.

Torrey Craig posted zero points as a starter while splitting time with Josh Okogie, who played 33 minutes off the bench and scored 11 points.

The Clippers trailed by as much as 20 in the early stages of the fourth quarter before eventually trimming the lead down to two with under three minutes to play.

Norman Powell led Los Angeles with 27 points. Seven of the nine Clippers that played scored 10 or more points.

The Suns finish the series winning four consecutive games after initially losing their postseason opener.

Games 1 and 2 of the second round will be in Denver while Games 3 and 4 will be back in Phoenix.