AP Photo/Matt York
Sunday’s Game 1 in between the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers was a fight of 2 Western Conference titans, however in the end, the Clippers stood high thanks to a strong efficiency from star forward Kawhi Leonard.
The two-time NBA Finals MVP revealed why he’s at his finest in the postseason by dropping 38 points to lead Los Angeles to a 115-110 win in front of Phoenix fans at Footprint.
While the Suns argued behind star forward Kevin Durant, Leonard assisted close things out by scoring 13 of his points in the 4th quarter. He was the only Clippers gamer to rating over 20 points, which assisted the group conquered a substandard offending proving from Russell Westbrook, who ended up with 9 points on 3-of-19 shooting.
Durant led the Suns with 27 points and 11 helps, while Devin Booker included 26 points and Torrey Craig notched 22.
Leonard leading the hard-fought roadway win made him the adulation of NBA Twitter on Sunday:
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
KAWHI 4Q TAKEOVER. << a href="https://t.co/AS4fIMzEIp">> pic.twitter.com/AS4fIMzEIp
Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Playoff Kawhi time. 2 3-pointers in a row from Kawhi.
Farbod Esnaashari @Farbod_E
KAWHI. LEONARD.
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Simply beast shots by Kawhi.
NBACentral @TheNBACentral
Playoff Kawhi is HIM.
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
Beating Kawhi in playoffs challenging.
Molly Morrison @mollyhannahm
kawhi leonard is among the most frustating gamers for your group to take on since he will definitely eliminate you and never ever when alter expressions
Chances Shark @OddsShark
Kawhi Leonard in the playoffs << a href="https://t.co/B6OWoS0igO">> pic.twitter.com/B6OWoS0igO
Jared Wade @Jared_Wade
Everybody talks all year about who the very best gamers are then the playoffs begin and it’s like, oh right, Kawhi cleans up all these men up in his sleep.
While Westbrook had a hard time offensively, he likewise contributed 10 rebounds, 8 helps, 3 blocks and 2 takes. He was secured on the protective end and made some secret soft-pedals the stretch, with 5 of his rebounds coming off the offending glass. His efficiency made some love from NBA Twitter too:
Hoop Central @TheHoopCentral
RUSSELL WESTBROOK CLUTCH. < br > < br><> < a href="https://t.co/g1SsiS0FQY">> pic.twitter.com/g1SsiS0FQY
Tyler Dragon @TheTylerDragon
Kawhi Leonard was without a doubt the very best gamer on the court tonight, however the Clippers do not win without Russell Westbrook’s defense and hustle.
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
Video game ball goes to the person who shot 3-for-19 …
Andrew Brandt @AndrewBrandt
Westbrook. WoW.
PHAROAHE MONCH @pharoahemonch
Russel Westbrook is having the best worst video game in the history of the NBA. Incredible
Tyler Greever @Tyler_Greever
Russ is getting offending boards and big blocks down the stretch. Great for him.
Elle Duncan @elleduncanESPN
Russ tonight why you can’t just take a look at a box rating. If you didn’t view him you ‘d believe it was a bad night. He simply clutched the hell outta tht gm.
Aaron J. Fentress @AaronJFentress
That was an incredible protective play by Westbrook. The block. To toss the ball off of Booker. Wow.
M @ @MattSpiegel670
Russell Westbrook. << br>> Immense regard.
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Russ won the video game!!!
Farbod Esnaashari @Farbod_E
Out of large hustle, Russell Westbrook made certain the Clippers didn’t lose the video game due to the fact that of his shooting. Provide him all the props on the planet for that winning effort tonight.
The Clippers ought to feel elated for taking Game 1 on the roadway when among their stars has an uninspired shooting night. Westbrook revealed why he’s still an important gamer on a competing group, and Leonard revealed he’s still among the most unsafe gamers in the postseason.
Los Angeles will want to take a 2-0 lead when the 2 groups reunite on Tuesday in Phoenix.