Suns vs. Clippers: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions

John Hollinger @johnhollinger
Cavinder twins right here courtside in Clippers (not Canes!) jerseys – 10:27 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
#Suns starters Recreation 3 at #Clippers #NBAPlayoffs
Chris Paul
Devin Booker
Torrey Craig
Kevin Durant
Deandre Ayton – 10:26 PM

Mike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunov
Has Doc Rivers ever performed in a sport like this with a number of ejections?
Rivers: “Uh yeah. I performed for the Knicks. Go watch Phoenix-Knicks.” – 10:20 PM

Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Clippers by chance had the Suns come out on the court docket on the drop of maad metropolis. Not an excellent use of the homecourt benefit. – 10:19 PM

Legislation Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
The Suns are a brutal crew to shoot the ball towards attributable to their physicality. Requested Monty Williams about that defensive issue pregame, particularly with Clippers anticipated to rely extra on the 3-pointer tonight. pic.twitter.com/85W6jELOJ0 – 10:19 PM

Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
STARTERS 4/20
LAC
Eric Gordon
Nicolas Batum
Ivica Zubac
Norman Powell
Russell Westbrook
PHX
Torrey Craig
Kevin Durant
Deandre Ayton
Devin Booker
Chris Paul – 10:14 PM

Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Clippers are beginning Norman Powell instead of Kawhi Leonard – 10:12 PM

Phoenix Suns @Suns
Recreation 3 loading… pic.twitter.com/DY36KFQYuE – 10:09 PM

Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Been busy and simply seen the beginning lineups:
Norm Powell
Eric Gordon
Russell Westbrook
Nicolas Batum
Ivica Zubac – 10:08 PM

Legislation Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Norman Powell is changing Kawhi Leonard in beginning lineup tonight.
Leaves a second unit of Bones Hyland, Terance Mann, Robert Covington, Marcus Morris Sr., Mason Plumlee.
Identical starters for Suns. Cameron Payne nonetheless inactive. – 10:07 PM

Legislation Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Requested Tyronn Lue about Nicolas Batum’s sluggish offensive begin to collection, how he could be supported, and the opposite vet energy forwards’ roles tonight pic.twitter.com/RmUsxkZmOU – 10:06 PM

Janis Carr @janiscarr
TARTERS 4/20
LAC
Clippers starters for Recreation 3
Eric Gordon
Nicolas Batum
Ivica Zubac
Norman Powell
Russell Westbrook – 10:05 PM

Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Kevin Durant’s level totals throughout six playoff video games on this enviornment towards the Clippers: 36, 40, 39, 38, 33 and 50. 5-1 file. – 10:04 PM

Phoenix Suns @Suns
Starters in Recreation 3 pic.twitter.com/UNqwRn336G – 9:59 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Phoenix Suns replace: Cameron Payne stays out with low again soreness #Suns #Clippers #NBAPlayoffs
azcentral.com/story/sports activities/n… by way of @azcentral – 9:54 PM

Legislation Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Mind Warp
Clippers-Suns, a better of 5 wherein the Clippers might have 3 of subsequent 4 video games at residence – 9:52 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Deandre Ayton pregame. #Suns #Clippers #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/Gcgpuoy2CI – 9:47 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Devin Booker ends pregame with prolonged dunk. #Suns #Clippers #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/RsOdcd0nex – 9:46 PM

Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
Brooklyn in clutch time video games for the reason that Durant commerce:
4-7 (twenty sixth)
-34 (2nd worst)
@StatsWilliams – 9:46 PM

Legislation Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
I’m sufficiently old to recollect when Clippers and Warriors couldn’t even do chapel collectively throughout 2013-14 season/playoffs
Not case on this collection. Russell Westbrook, Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, Josh Okogie, Damion Lee, Darius Bazley amongst gamers to do pregame chapel right here in LA – 9:45 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Devin Booker pregame. #Suns #Clippers #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/X6eeRzMpsS – 9:44 PM

Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Devin Booker has some good playoff reminiscences on this constructing pic.twitter.com/NmKHpuWqSp – 9:43 PM

Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Clippers are promoting these playoff shirts designed by ⁦@jkebrns⁩ pic.twitter.com/N7eKZYgBXX – 9:40 PM

Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Beanie E-book is right here only for @LindseySmithAZ’s birthday!
(Not likely, however go want her a cheerful birthday) pic.twitter.com/v58HfIggBJ – 9:35 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“There’s a stage of urgency for each playoff sport.”
Monty Williams on #Clippers taking part in with out Kawhi Leonard and the thought of this being a entice sport for #Suns. pic.twitter.com/5EqXfYqjBG – 9:34 PM

Phoenix Suns @Suns
Tonight’s @BannerHealth Well being Replace: pic.twitter.com/5czSUh4H17 – 9:30 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Stability.
#Suns Monty Williams talked about adjusting to #Clippers and sticking to their very own crew ideas for Recreation 3. pic.twitter.com/GMhF5l4KEB – 9:29 PM

Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Jarrett Jack and Kevin Durant going over some pregame stuff: pic.twitter.com/D0QF4rownv – 9:23 PM

Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Kevin Durant getting free pic.twitter.com/P9n9vyaGbg – 9:19 PM

Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Monty Williams on Kawhi Leonard being out: “I believe we needed to do what we do every day so far as making changes on the fly.” – 9:06 PM

Los Angeles Clippers @LAClippers
On set 📍 pic.twitter.com/tPsrf97VBC – 9:02 PM

Ramona Shelburne @ramonashelburne
Also needs to be famous that Clippers-Suns schedule is clearly affected by Lakers and Kings (NHL) additionally being within the playoffs on the identical time, in the identical constructing. Lakers don’t play their Recreation 3 till Saturday evening. Clippers have lower than 36 hours between Recreation 3 & 4. – 8:58 PM

Janis Carr @janiscarr
Kawhi headed to locker room and greeted a few reporters with “What’s up? What’s up?” – 8:58 PM

Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Kawhi is in attendance tonight. pic.twitter.com/jv5F8tFP3y – 8:56 PM

Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Ty Lue stated he came upon final evening that Kawhi Leonard had aggravated his proper knee. Lue stated he discovered earlier than shootaround that he wouldn’t have Kawhi. – 8:55 PM

Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Ty Lue stated final evening is when he came upon that Kawhi Leonard had injured his knee. Shootaround is after they came upon he was out. – 8:55 PM

Peter Vecsey @PeterVecsey1
Do you know that James Harden led the league this season having his shot blocked 67 instances? Are you aware who’s second? Chris Paul, 32. – 8:54 PM

Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Ty Lue says he should lean closely on Russell Westbrook, who had 36 factors and 10 assists when he was the point of interest of offense in a sport lately at Memphis. Lue says he likes Robert Covington and Marcus Morris when requested about alternatives for them tonight. – 8:54 PM

Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Clippers coach Ty Lue not sure if Kawhi Leonard he’ll play in Recreation 4. However Ty stated, “I’m optimistic something can occur.” – 8:52 PM

Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Ty Lue expressed confidence within the Clippers who can be found, saying the crew had an excellent shootaround. Lue added that Kawhi Leonard is feeling down. – 8:52 PM

Janis Carr @janiscarr
Ty stated Kawhi’s “spirits are down.” – 8:52 PM

Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Clippers coach Ty Lue on taking part in Recreation 3 with out Kawhi Leonard pic.twitter.com/P3aSR5rGwY – 8:51 PM

Legislation Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
T Lue on stage of optimism of Kawhi coming again: “I don’t know a lot about it.” – 8:51 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Landry Shamet pregame. #Suns #Clippers #ClipperNation #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/KztMh7kcLV – 8:51 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“I really feel unhealthy for Kawhi.”
Ty Lue on Kawhi Leonard (knee) being out Recreation 3. #Suns #ClipperNation #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/pr0McjVAZF – 8:50 PM

Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Ty Lue says that each Marcus Morris and Robert Covington, who’ve but to play within the playoffs, are “going to get alternatives tonight.” – 8:50 PM

Legislation Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Tyronn Lue on Marcus Morris Sr. and Robert Covington: “I like each of these guys. And so they’re each going to get a possibility tonight.” – 8:50 PM

Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Clippers coach Ty Lue stated he came upon Kawhi Leonard wouldn’t be obtainable “proper earlier than shootaround”. The knee was aggravated in Recreation 1, worsened in Recreation 2. – 8:50 PM

Ramona Shelburne @ramonashelburne
Ty Lue stated he came upon Kawhi Leonard (knee) was not going to have the ability to play tonight proper earlier than shootaround this morning. That isn’t lots of time to alter up a sport plan. – 8:50 PM

Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Tyronn Lue on the knee sprain that Kawhi Leonard is coping with. “Really feel sorry for Kawhi as a result of he works so exhausting to get up to now. All the fellows gotta step up.” – 8:49 PM

Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Tyronn Lue stated he came upon earlier than at this time’s shootaround that the Clippers wouldn’t have Kawhi Leonard for Recreation 3. He stated he feels sorry for Leonard however that the Clippers have been right here earlier than, compensating for a damage participant. – 8:49 PM

Janis Carr @janiscarr
Ty came upon about Kawhi’s availability “proper earlier than shootaround.
“I really feel sorry Kawhi” – 8:49 PM

Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Tyronn Lue stated the Clippers came upon Kawhi Leonard can be out at shootaround at this time.
“Really feel sorry for Kawhi, as a result of he labored so exhausting to get up to now.” – 8:49 PM

Legislation Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Tyronn Lue says that he needed to change gameplan primarily based on Kawhi Leonard’s harm “proper earlier than shootaround.” – 8:48 PM

Legislation Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Lawrence Frank on load administration Kawhi query: “He didn’t imply to land on Amir Coffey’s ankle. He didn’t imply to tear his ACL.” pic.twitter.com/14SCyUQqbo – 8:47 PM

Legislation Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
When requested about what Kawhi Leonard’s benchmarks are to get cleared, Lawrence Frank says that he’ll defer to the medical employees and medical doctors and “type of how he responds to remedy with out, out of respect to privateness, precisely what the particular benchmarks are.” – 8:42 PM

Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
The not meant to be ironic T-shirts they’re giving out at tonight‘s Clippers sport. pic.twitter.com/8iKCK0yK9O – 8:42 PM

Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Lawrence Frank says Paul George continues “to work his butt off” and makes progress however that Kawhi Leonard’s harm has no influence on George’s return timetable. – 8:38 PM

Legislation Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Lawrence Frank says that Kawhi Leonard is day-to-day, and declined to elaborate on specifics on diploma of severity of Leonard’s knee sprain with regard to Paul George’s knee sprain final month. pic.twitter.com/SBjtdHglFl – 8:36 PM

John Hollinger @johnhollinger
Right here at The Crypt for Clippers-Suns Recreation 3. Damian Lee getting in some pre-game work for Phoenix. pic.twitter.com/QCFbhRW51o – 8:34 PM

Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Requested about Paul George’s restoration, Lawrence Frank stated that Kawhi’s harm gained’t have an effect on the timeline of George’s rehab. – 8:25 PM

Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Cam Payne is out, per Suns – 8:25 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Cameron Payne (again) OUT #Suns #Clippers #NBAPlayoffs – 8:25 PM

Janis Carr @janiscarr
PG’s restoration time doesnt change as a result of Kawhi is out. – 8:25 PM

Legislation Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
L Frank on Kawhi: “He desperately, desperately desires to play. That is the playoffs. That is what these guys stay for. And particularly him, the place he takes his sport and he is without doubt one of the few gamers within the historical past of this sport on the highest stage.” – 8:24 PM

Janis Carr @janiscarr
Regardless of how a lot Kawhi needed to play, he’s “not cleared to play.” – 8:24 PM

Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Lawrence Frank on Kawhi: “He desperately desperately desires to play.” He says Leonard is extraordinarily pissed off. – 8:23 PM

Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Lawrence Frank on Kawhi: “He desperately, desperately desires to play. … He’s extraordinarily upset. Every part he places into the sport I’ve by no means seen a participant put this a lot into his craft.” – 8:23 PM

Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Lawrence Frank says Kawhi Leonard is “extraordinarily upset he can’t play.” Frank says it’s a knee sprain however gained’t go into anymore element. He provides that medical will see how he responds to remedy. “I really feel horrible for Kawhi that he can’t play tonight.” – 8:22 PM

Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Lawrence Frank gained’t go into the main points of the knee sprain, nor what Kawhi would wish to do to be cleared to play. – 8:22 PM

Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Lawrence Frank discusses timeline of Kawhi Leonard being dominated out. pic.twitter.com/aZjWo4EAMG – 8:21 PM

Janis Carr @janiscarr
Kawhi “desperately desires to play,” Frankk stated. – 8:21 PM

Legislation Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
L Frank: “I really feel horrible for Kawhi that he can’t play tonight” – 8:20 PM

Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Lawrence Frank says Kawhi Leonard aggravated his proper knee sprain on the finish of Recreation 1, needed to play by it in Recreation 2. After Recreation 2, Kawhi’s harm worsened to the purpose that he’s out. Frank says Clippers will take it each day and see how he responds to remedy. – 8:20 PM

Legislation Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Lawrence Frank says that Kawhi Leonard aggravated harm on the finish of Recreation 1 and performed by harm in Recreation 2. pic.twitter.com/Sk4xemqc6j – 8:20 PM

Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank is right here speaking with reporters. He stated Kawhi Leonard aggravated the harm on the finish of Recreation 1, and that after Recreation 2, the signs of the harm didn’t get higher, which led to him being dominated out for Recreation 2. – 8:19 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
#Suns crew proprietor Mat Ishbia and GM James Jones are within the constructing. #NBAPlayoffs – 8:19 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
This could’t get right here quickly sufficient.
Ying Yang Twins halftime of #Suns #ClipperNation . 🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/TsnkyACLdA – 8:18 PM

Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
The Kawhi Leonard trapping stuff is much less related now, however there are nonetheless a couple of different areas of enchancment for the Suns in Recreation 3 tonight, together with the necessity to generate extra 3s (by way of @PHNX_Suns): https://t.co/x92IP6q2Ec pic.twitter.com/kOH5fH1Xon – 8:02 PM

Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
And so they do imply ALL palms, ’trigger with out Kawhi and PG… pic.twitter.com/WKbimzfR7Q – 7:55 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
We right here.
#Suns #ClipperNation #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/ebFRhbKnvR – 7:49 PM

Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
To win tonight the Clippers will want… pic.twitter.com/LhcS74GkCa – 7:44 PM

Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
The Clippers’ T-Shirts for the followers watching Recreation 3 vs Suns with out Kawhi Leonard and Paul George pic.twitter.com/93qffvYwHQ – 7:41 PM

Legislation Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Norman Powell completed 4th in Sixth Man of the 12 months voting behind President Brogdan 🏆, Immanuel Quickley, Bobby Portis.
Russell Westbrook obtained one vote, becoming a member of Malik Monk, Tyus Jones, Austin Reaves, Bennedict Mathurin, and Christian Wooden as gamers receiving votes. – 7:30 PM

Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Clippers guard Norm Powell was fourth in Sixth Man voting. pic.twitter.com/fArPFAPNXg – 7:29 PM

Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Russell Westbrook beginning his pregame routine. Clippers will want a an enormous sport from Russ with out Kawhi. pic.twitter.com/AOFrNvMhuI – 7:27 PM

Legislation Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
LA native Russell Westbrook is about to play in his first residence playoff sport whereas taking part in for a LA primarily based NBA crew pic.twitter.com/FOro6CVi8q – 7:25 PM

Legislation Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Clippers are taking part in tonight to earn one other evening sport right here. pic.twitter.com/XrTyKwXboo – 7:11 PM

Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
What’s essentially the most shocked you’ve ever been by an NBA award winner?
I’m not speaking about preseason surprises. I’m speaking about, the season has ended, you felt sure one man would win, after which it’s introduced and it’s another person.
Kawhi over Draymond for 2015 DPOY is mine. – 7:10 PM

Eric Patten @EricPatten
Key gamers and All-Stars lacking from playoff video games this week: Giannis, Kawhi, Paul George, Ja Morant, Draymond Inexperienced, Tyler Herro, Steven Adams, Ben Simmons (lol),
At present is the primary day of Recreation 3s – 6:57 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
How will Suns technique change towards Clippers with Kawhi Leonard out for Recreation 3? (w/movies) #Suns #Clippers #NBAPlayoffs azcentral.com/story/sports activities/n… by way of @azcentral – 6:54 PM

Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
Simply talked final evening about how a lot I’m savoring and appreciating each second we get wholesome Kawhi Leonard on this playoffs as a result of we simply by no means know the way lengthy it’ll final. Information at this time actually simply sucks.
FULL EP: https://t.co/hIOdTG6pmm
FULL WATCH: https://t.co/Inbe6kWrOt pic.twitter.com/DQfr7vK7ld – 6:52 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Former OKC teammates Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook going at it in first playoff matchup (w/movies) #Suns #Clippers #NBAPlayoffs azcentral.com/story/sports activities/n… by way of @azcentral – 6:49 PM

Los Angeles Clippers @LAClippers
Your pregame studying project for Recreation 3
#GetItLocked | @betwayusa – 6:30 PM

Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Nicely then.
One other preview for Recreation 3, this time going over the influence of Kawhi Leonard’s absence, what modifications with him out and who must step up for the Clippers towards the Suns tonight: arizonasports.com/story/3520884/… – 6:23 PM

Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
“A part of being an all-time nice is exhibiting up”
🏀 @TermineRadio has had sufficient of Kawhi Leonard lacking video games when he’s wanted essentially the most… pic.twitter.com/yU3PLF1iSB – 6:07 PM

Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Paul George — aka Podcast P — says he’s been having fun with his front-row seat for the Kawhi Leonard-Kevin Durant duel (under).
Goes on to say on the pod preview he’s “working his ass off” to get on the market … and to debate Kawhi’s not-a-travel step-thru. “I’m including it to my sport.” pic.twitter.com/bvYw9e1gAm – 5:56 PM

Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
It’s exhausting to overstate the void created by Kawhi’s harm: Factors he scored or assisted on accounted on 45% of the Clippers’ offense in Video games 1 and a couple of; he’s additionally guarded KD a team-high 53 possessions.
latimes.com/sports activities/clipper… – 5:50 PM

Legislation Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
📰 @TheAthletic
Kawhi Leonard dominated out for Recreation 3 tonight attributable to a proper knee sprain.
Extra right here on how the LA Clippers have (sadly) been right here earlier than and who might should step up towards the Phoenix Suns.
theathletic.com/4433919/2023/0… – 5:36 PM

Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Value noting with the Kawhi information that it’s a fast turnaround to Recreation 4. 12:30p begin on Saturday. – 5:09 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Suns vs. Clippers NBA playoffs information, notes: Kawhi Leonard dominated out for Recreation 3 #Suns #Clippers #NBAPlayoffs https://t.co/IS6Piy4ZBV by way of @azcentral pic.twitter.com/Tuss30NB2P – 5:08 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
OFFICIAL: Clippers ahead Kawhi Leonard (knee) OUT Recreation 3 vs. Suns in Los Angeles. #Clippers #Suns #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/aqKh7Zupq4 – 5:04 PM

Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Kawhi Leonard out for Clippers’ Recreation 3 vs. Suns with knee sprain nba.nbcsports.com/2023/04/20/kaw… – 4:58 PM

Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Couple Kawhi Leonard ideas:
1) This actually sucks. Even with out PG, we had been lastly getting wholesome Kawhi vs. wholesome KD once more
2) In the one sport the Clippers have performed with out each Kawhi/PG since Russell Westbrook joined, Russ had a season-high 36 factors and LA hit 22 3s – 4:55 PM

Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Clippers rule Kawhi Leonard out for Recreation 3 vs. Suns espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 4:40 PM

Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Wrote this final week about why a playoff matchup between KD and Kawhi, taking part in on the ranges they did this season, shouldn’t be taken without any consideration. We received two video games of it — the query is, will there be extra? latimes.com/sports activities/clipper… – 4:36 PM

Michael Lee @MrMichaelLee
We received 12 minutes of KD vs Kawhi in 2019. We’d solely get two video games of KD vs Kawhi in 2023. Be higher, basketball gods. – 4:30 PM