Los Angeles Clippers guard Russell Westbrook. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Russell Westbrook shows clutch gene in Clippers' Game 1 upset over Suns

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 4/16/23

The Los Angeles Clippers upset the Phoenix Suns in Game 1 of their first-round series on Sunday, thanks to some clutch play late from Russell Westbrook.

Despite a brutal shooting night from Westbrook, the Clippers probably don't walk out of Footprint Center with victory without him. Over the final 17.1 seconds of the fourth quarter, Westbrook nailed two crucial free throws before making the best defensive play of the game.

On the following possession, Westbrook stuck to a driving Devin Booker, blocking a layup attempt at the rim before smartly deflecting the ball off the Suns' star out of bounds with 10.1 seconds to go.

WHAT PLAY BY RUSS. MY GOODNESS.

CLIPPERS LEAD WITH SECONDS LEFT ON TNT pic.twitter.com/SED1SvWHXt
— NBA (@NBA) April 17, 2023

Westbrook shot a paltry 3-of-19 from the field on Sunday, but his heads-up play sealed a 115-110 victory for the Suns. Westbrook finished with nine points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. However, he was far from the only contributor.

Kawhi Leonard went off against the Suns, scoring a game-high 38 points, shooting 54% (13-of-24) from the floor and 60% (3-of-5) from beyond the arc.

Like Westbrook, Leonard did damage late, nailing back-to-back three-pointers to give L.A. a five-point advantage with two minutes left in the fourth.

KAWHI HITS BACK-TO-BACK TRIPLES

HE'S GOT 35 PTS. CLIPPERS LEAD LATE

: Live on TNT | Game 1 pic.twitter.com/x7FPgZkKFG
— NBA (@NBA) April 17, 2023

Leonard posted his 13th 30-point postseason game as a member of the Clippers, trailing only Bob McAdoo (14) for the most in the franchise's history, per The Athletic.

Center Ivica Zubac also had a solid outing, finishing with 12 points and 15 boards. Meanwhile, Norman Powell and Terance Mann combined for 24 points off the bench, helping the Clippers outscore the Suns' reserves 34-10.

Kevin Durant led the way on the Suns' side with 27 points, while Booker had 26 in the losing effort.

The Clippers are a win away from heading back to L.A. with a 2-0 lead over the favored Suns. Phoenix will host Game 2 Tuesday at 10 p.m. EST.

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