If you watched last night's Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals then you know what the title of this article means. For those you missed the game, let's just that Paul George and the Los Angeles Clippers aren't finished with the Phoenix Suns.
Down 3-1 heading back to Phoenix, Arizona to save their season for at least one more game was the mission for the LA Clippers. The question coming into Game 5 last night was how the Clippers come back for another heartbreak lost due to missed free throws by Paul George? Well the mission accomplished on the road over the Phoenix Suns. With a 116-102 win, the Clippers now gives Staples Center one more to see in LA at least.
The star of the night was no other, Paul George himself. Going for 41 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists, PG13 led the Clippers to victory convincingly. A much different feeling from Game 2 and Game 4 where his missed free throws in crunch time led to two of the three losses for the Clippers in this series. PG13 struggled to start the game but Marcus Morris Sr. and Reggie Jackson got the ship rolling at the beginning. Morris Sr. finished with 22 points with 20 points coming in the 1st half where the Clippers had a 7-point at the break. Reggie Jackson had 23 points with some key shots made in the 4th quarter to help open the lead while PG13 took over and put the finishing touches to the 14-point victory and his 41-point double-double performance.
On the other side, the Phoenix Suns have to be disappointed in their performance. Here was an opportunity to finish off the Western Conference Finals and reach the NBA Finals for the first since 1993 when Charles Barkley and the Suns fell to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. Even more disappointing is that the Suns lost at home in front of their crowd. Now the Suns must head back to LA and do what they to Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of these playoffs and that is close out the series inside Staples Center.
Even with a possible Game 7 back in Phoenix, Arizona, it is in the best interest for Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and the Suns to put the Clippers away at Staples Center in Game 6. We have seen this Clippers raise to the occasion time after time in these playoffs. Ask Luka and the Dallas Mavericks. Ask Donovan Mitchell and the Utah Jazz without Kawhi Leonard. The Suns must put the Clippers as soon as possible and Game 6 is where it needs to done.
Game 6: Wednesday Night 9PM on ESPN
PHX Leads Series 3-2
