The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

No All-Star point guard Chris Paul. No worries.

Bahamian centre DeAndre Ayton and talented shooting guard Devin Booker got the job done as the Phoenix Suns pulled off game one of the National Basketball Association’s Western Conference Finals.

The best-of-seven series got started yesterday with the Suns securing a 120-114 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on their home court at the Phoenix Suns Arena.

Ayton, the number one pick by the Suns in 2018, was solid as usual with 20 points and nine rebounds in just 27 minutes of play. Whenever he was on the court, Ayton was the recipient of a couple of alley-oop dunks, or he was able to drive to the basket for an easy shot.

For his part, Booker produced his first career triple double with 40 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. He shot 15-of-29 from the field and went 3-for-7 from the three-point line and was a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line.

What Ayton and Booker didn’t do, forward Mikal Bridges (14), forward Jae Crowder (13), guard Cam Johnson (12) and guard Cameron Payne (11), who started in Paul’s spot at point guard, did the rest.

Paul George, playing without Kawhi Leonard for the third straight game, led the fourth-seeded Clippers with 34 points. Leonard sprained his right knee in game four of their previous series against the Utah Jazz.

The game had 20 lead changes and 13 ties.

Following their four-game sweep over the Denver Nuggets in the semifinals, Paul was placed under the NBA’s health and safety protocol on Tuesday and it’s uncertain if he will be available for game two on Tuesday night in Phoenix.

Just like they did in the NBA bubble in Orlando, Florida where they went undefeated but fell short of getting to the final, the Suns have now won eight straight games to further lengthen their franchise playoff record for most consecutive victories in the postseason.

The second-seeded Suns topped their longest winning streak of the season, which was seven from March 26 to April 7. They are playing in their first Western Conference finals since 2010.