Clippers Stun Suns in Game 1 Upset

PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns made them earn it, but the Los Angeles Clippers walked away victorious in 115-110 fashion in Game 1 of their first-round matchup.

Kawhi Leonard paved the way for LA with 38 points, including some clutch buckets down the stretch of the fourth quarter.

After resting their starters the final two games of the regular season, the Suns returned Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Deandre Ayton to the lineup. Torrey Craig earned the nod from Monty Williams prior to the game.

Durant led the Suns in scoring with 27 points. Booker (26) and Craig (22) also had notable scoring outputs.

Cameron Payne (lower back soreness) was the lone Suns player to miss action. He was replaced by Landry Shamet in the rotation.

“I still think it’s a huge role," Suns coach Monty Williams said prior to the game. "I think when you have ball handlers like Cam out, it does take away from your team just because of what he brings as far as pace and scoring ability and energy to the team. It does help to have other guys facilitate on the offense side of the ball.”

Despite being favored by 7.5 points heading into the game, the Suns found themselves down by double digits before the end of the first quarter. Eric Gordon scored a quick 12 points to give the Clippers a 30-18 advantage after one to play.

Durant - the team's typical spark plug - missed his first five shots and the rest of the team didn't shoot much better, converting only 32% of their field goals in the first.

The second quarter provided much of the same for Phoenix, though they were able to head into the locker room 59-54. Durant quickly found his rhythm and finished the first half with 17 points.

Phoenix had just two bench points after two quarters.

The Suns would make good on their momentum with a strong third quarter, eventually going up by as much as seven points before the two sides went into the fourth tied at 81-81. Torrey Craig chipped in 11 points to help Phoenix push themselves back into pole position.

The fourth quarter would go down to the final seconds, where the Suns were down by three with just 10 seconds remaining. Rather than go for the tie, Booker drove to the lane and was eventually blocked by Russell Westbrook. The ball hit Booker on the way out and the Clippers - still up three - would close out from there.

Game 2 is on Tuesday at 7:00 PM PST.