LOS ANGELES — After cementing a 130-103 win over the Los Angeles Clippers in Sport 6 of the Western Convention finals on Wednesday at Staples Middle, the Phoenix Suns have superior to their first NBA Finals since 1993.

After final showing within the playoffs in 2010, the Suns have emerged as a championship contender for a couple of causes.

Suns guard Chris Paul had 41 factors on 16-of-24 taking pictures and eight assists in his fourth sport after spending eight days within the NBA’s well being and security protocols. The Suns held a 97-83 lead coming into the fourth quarter after Paul scored eight unanswered factors to counter the Clippers’ earlier 10-0 run. He then scored six fast factors to immediate the Clippers to name a timeout whereas trailing 105-85 with 9:39 left.

This sort of sport explains why the Suns acquired Paul from the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. At 36, Paul matched the Suns’ hopes that he might keep wholesome, stay productive and mentor the crew’s younger roster.

A type of gamers is Suns guard Devin Booker, who had 22 factors, six rebounds and 4 assists. After deciding on Booker at No. 13 within the 2016 draft, the Suns have seen Booker dispel the notion that he merely produced empty stats on a nasty crew. Booker completed with a triple-double in Sport 1 and has performed via a battered nostril each with and with no masks after needing stitches to deal with it in Sport 2. The Suns imagine Booker nonetheless stays underappreciated contemplating he solely made the NBA All-Star Sport after Commissioner Adam Silver named him as a substitute for injured Zion Williamson.

One other a type of younger gamers is heart Deandre Ayton, who had 16 factors and 17 rebounds. After deciding on Ayton at No. 1 within the 2018 draft, the Suns have praised Ayton for his enchancment together with his consistency, aggressiveness and preparation. The Suns even have a handful of reliable position gamers that rose to the event as nicely in Sport 6, together with Jae Crowder (19 factors), Mikel Bridges (9) and Cameron Payne (seven).

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The Clippers struggled whereas enjoying with out Kawhi Leonard for the eighth consecutive sport due to a proper knee harm. Marcus Morris Sr. (26 factors), Paul George (21), Reggie Jackson (13), DeMarcus Cousins (12) and Patrick Beverley (11) all completed in double figures. However the Clippers hardly might match the Suns’ depth.

Leonard has stayed in Los Angeles to rehab his knee throughout the Clippers’ highway playoff video games. However he watched Sport 6 on the Clippers bench after watching the earlier house video games this collection in a set together with his household. The Clippers have praised Leonard for staying linked with coaches and teammates privately.

Leonard is anticipated to choose out of his $36 million participant possibility this summer time, however he’s anticipated to signal an extended cope with the Clippers.

The NBA Finals schedule is just not finalized for the reason that Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks will play Sport 5 of the Jap Convention finals on Friday with the collection tied at 2-2. However the NBA Finals might begin as early as July 6 and as late as July 8, giving the Suns loads of time to relaxation and put together for his or her subsequent collection. The Suns additionally had per week between sweeping the Denver Nuggets within the West semifinals and going through the Clippers.

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This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: Chris Paul, Suns attain NBA Finals with Sport 6 rout of Clippers