Phoenix Suns pull further ahead of Los Angeles Clippers with last-second win

Cameron Payne impressed for the hosts while subbing for Chris Paul, with the 26-year-old scoring a career-high 29 points.

Pa Sport Staff
Wednesday 23 June 2021 02:21 EDT
Phoenix Suns centre Deandre Ayton, right, scores over Los Angeles Clippers centre Ivica Zubac
Phoenix Suns centre Deandre Ayton, right, scores over Los Angeles Clippers centre Ivica Zubac (AP)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Deandre Ayton’s last-second alley-oop handed the Phoenix Suns victory and opened up their lead over the Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Conference finals.

The Suns were down with 0.9 seconds remaining when Jae Crowder tossed a high pass that Ayton, the number one draft pick in 2018, seized and hammered home over the top of the Clippers’ Ivica Zubac for the 104-103 win.

Paul George grabbed the game by the throat for Los Angeles with the 31-year-old collecting 26 points including two that gave his side the lead with 31 seconds left for the first time since the third quarter.

But George then faltered by missing two free throws as the Suns closed out a franchise-record ninth-straight play-off victory.

Phoenix’s Cameron Payne impressed while subbing for Chris Paul and sliced open the Los Angeles defence in the paint repeatedly, with the 26-year-old finishing with a career-high 29 points.

George will be among the Clippers players looking to improve his accuracy – the seven-time All Star was just 10 of 23 from the field and missed his first seven three-point attempts – as Los Angeles prepare to host Game Three on Thursday.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in