On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Phoenix Suns will compete against one another on the court.
The most recent Injury Update for Los Angeles Clippers vs. Phoenix Suns
THE CLIPPERS REPORT
While the Suns appear to be headed to the second round, where they will face the Denver Nuggets, the Clippers’ route is a little more hazy.
After establishing second-round hopes with a victory in the series opener, those hopes have been all but shattered.
Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Lakers missed his second consecutive game on Saturday due to a knee ailment, the seriousness of which is uncertain.
Leonard (knee) will miss Game 5 against Phoenix on Tuesday.
This isn’t surprising given Leonard’s absence from practice on Monday, and with the Clippers trailing the series 1-3, it’s conceivable we’ve seen the last of the star forward this season.
In his absence, Norman Powell, Eric Gordon, and Nicolas Batum will continue to fill in.
The injury has brought back memories of Leonard missing the last eight games of the 2021 playoffs due to a knee injury, and the Clippers being eliminated by the Suns.
He ended up requiring ACL surgery, which cost him the entire 2021-22 season.
The Clippers have been competitive against the Suns without Leonard and Paul George, who has been out with a knee ailment but worked out before Monday’s practice.
Los Angeles led 66-65 in Game 4 until Durant hit the game-winning 3-pointer with 5:19 left in the third quarter.
Russell Westbrook of the Clippers scored 37 points on 17-of-29 shooting in Game 4.
Westbrook has averaged 31.7 points over the last three games while taking over the primary scoring role, while also adding 7.0 assists and 6.3 rebounds.
After a difficult season in which he failed to adjust to Lakers players LeBron James and Anthony Davis, was traded to the Utah Jazz, waived, and then signed by the Clippers, Westbrook has quickly repaired his image with his new team.
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THE SUNS REPORT
Can the Suns make their playoff aspirations come true this year?
Phoenix is one step away from the second round of the playoffs, but there is still plenty to play for.
Phoenix had a dream backcourt with Chris Paul and Devin Booker, but the addition of Kevin Durant was the clincher in the Suns’ pursuit for the franchise’s first NBA championship.
The Clippers gave them a fright in the opening game, but it appears like this club will compete for something meaningful this postseason.
The Suns are 17th in scoring with 113.6 points per game and shoot 46.7 percent (23rd), including 37.4 percent from three-point range (7th). They convert 79.3 percent of their free-throw attempts (10th) and have a +1.3 rebounding advantage with 44.2 rebounds per game (11th). Phoenix’s defense allows 111.6 points per game, ranking sixth, and opponents shoot 46.6 percent (6th), including 35.7 percent from long range (11th).
The Suns rank 16th in terms of offensive rating, 7th in terms of defensive rating, and 22nd in terms of tempo.
Only Cameron Payne is doubtful for Tuesday’s game against the Clippers.
Payne (back) is labeled as probable for Game 5 against the Clippers on Tuesday, according to Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com.
Payne was forced to miss Saturday’s game due to back pain, but he is expected to play again Tuesday night.
He has yet to play in the series, but if given the go-ahead, he may provide valuable minutes off the bench behind Chris Paul.
