The #4 seed Los Angeles Clippers (44-38, 40-42-0 ATS) and #5 seed Phoenix Suns (45-37, 43-38-1 ATS) will face each other at least four more times this season, despite only being separated by one game in the standings.
The four regular-season meetings between these teams were split, with the away team winning each time. The Clippers would like to continue that on Sunday night, while the Suns are hoping for another trip to the NBA finals. Both teams have plenty of star power, and game one of this series will take place on April 16, 2023, at 8:00 p.m. EST in Footprint Center.
Injury Update Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns traded for Kevin Durant in order to help them finally win an NBA championship.
That quest will begin Sunday night in Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers open their best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series.
When Devin Booker went down with a groin injury this season, the Phoenix Suns saw a solution in acquiring Durant from the Brooklyn Nets. They acquired the four-time scoring champion in exchange for standout young forwards Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson, as well as five first-round draft picks.
Durant has only played in eight games for the Suns due to injuries (he averaged 26 points and Phoenix won all eight), but his presence gives the Suns hope that they can make a championship run.
Phoenix is 0-3 in NBA Finals history.
Another playoff flop would be a huge disappointment with Durant, Booker, and star point guard Chris Paul in the same lineup.
Durant (ankle) is not listed as out for Sunday’s game.
Durant participated in practice on Wednesday, hinting at his return to the court after missing the final two games of the regular season.
The big man played 33 minutes or more in each of his final four Suns appearances, so he shouldn’t face any restrictions as Phoenix begins its postseason run.
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The Clippers lost in the Western Conference finals to the Suns two years ago without star forward Kawhi Leonard, who tore his ACL in his right knee in the previous series against the Utah Jazz.
Leonard will play in his first playoff game in 22 months after suffering the injury, and the two-time NBA Finals MVP has played well in the second half of this season.
Leonard said that while he understands the Suns are different with Durant on the roster, he sees it as a fun challenge.
Los Angeles, which split four regular-season meetings with the Suns, will open the series without Paul George, who is out with a knee injury sustained on March 21.
While it hasn’t been confirmed, all indications point to Paul George sitting out the first two games of this series.
Losing a leader, strong defender, and 23.8-point-per-game scorer with playoff experience at this time of year is never ideal.
Nonetheless, LA will have to do without him in this game, despite the fact that they were only 12-14 without him during the regular season.
The Clippers added veteran point guard Russell Westbrook late in the season, giving the series a tasty side dish.
Westbrook and Durant were teammates for the Oklahoma City Thunder for eight seasons, and there were reports that their relationship had soured before Durant left as a free agent in the summer of 2016.
Injury Update Clippers:
- Paul George (Knee) – Out
Injury Update Suns:
- Cameron Payne (Back) – Questionable
