The Phoenix Suns secured their spot in the next round of the NBA Playoffs after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 5, and Lakers fans wasted no time in rubbing it in the face of their cross-town rivals. The Suns’ victory was largely thanks to a fantastic performance by guard Devin Booker, who scored 50 points in the third quarter alone.
Despite a strong first half from the Clippers, the Suns came out firing in the second half, with Booker leading the charge. He finished the game with a game-high 47 points, and 10 assists, and nearly collected a triple-double. The Clippers fought back in the fourth quarter but ultimately fell short, losing 136-130.
How did Lakers fans react on social media?
Lakers fans took to social media to taunt Clippers fans, referencing their early-season struggles and mocking their playoff exit. One fan tweeted, “Clippers fans were making fun of us when Lakers started 2-10 and now they’re heading to Cabo.”
Another fan posted, “CLIPPERS PACK OFFICIALLY GOIN UP. RETWEET TO PASS IT ALONG,” accompanied by laughing emojis.
The absence of the Clippers’ star players, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George, due to injury was also mentioned. George missed the entire series due to a sprained knee, while Leonard was sidelined after reaggravating his knee injury in Game 2.
With the Clippers now out of the playoffs, Lakers fans are relishing the opportunity to gloat over their rivals. As one fan put it, “Clippers is still in quarantine.”
Clippers is still in quarantine 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/W9pyk1Am5A
— ً❼ (@CookedByLakers) April 26, 2023
Meanwhile, the Suns will face the Denver Nuggets in the next round of the playoffs, having secured a convincing win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in their previous matchup.
Suns eliminate injury-plagued Clippers historically to advance to Western Conference semifinals
The Phoenix Suns made franchise history by scoring 50 points in the third quarter, en route to a 136-130 win over the injury-riddled Los Angeles Clippers in Game 5 of their first-round NBA playoff series. Suns shooting guard Devin Booker erupted for a playoff career-high-tying 47 points, including 25 in the pivotal third quarter, as Phoenix clinched the series 4-1.
The absence of Clippers’ stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George was a significant factor in their defeat. Leonard missed his third straight game due to a right knee sprain he suffered in Game 2, while George was also out with a sprained right knee of his own.
Despite the best efforts of Norman Powell, who scored 27 points in the loss, the Clippers were unable to overcome the Suns’ hot shooting and were sent home for the season.
The Suns will now move on to the Western Conference semifinals, where they will face the top-seeded Denver Nuggets. The victory over the Clippers marks the third straight season that the Suns have advanced to at least the second round of the playoffs.
However, with the Nuggets entering the matchup fully healthy, including MVP candidate Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray, the Suns will face a tougher challenge as they look to continue their postseason run.
In conclusion, the Suns’ historic performance in Game 5, combined with their resiliency throughout the series, demonstrates that they are a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference. However, with the Nuggets’ full roster set to challenge them, the Suns will need to maintain their high level of play if they hope to advance to the conference finals.
