Clippers guard Bones Hyland, center, is fouled while driving to the basket during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Clippers guard Norman Powell, center, loses the ball in traffic during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul looks to pass the ball during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, left, watches from a courtside seat during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant shoots in traffic during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. reacts after being called for a foul and a technical foul during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Clippers guard Norman Powell shoots during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Phoenix Suns’ Torrey Craig scrambles for a loose ball during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, center, looks on from the bench in street clothes during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. Leonard was declared out with a sprained knee just hours before the game. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Clippers guard Bones Hyland, center, is fouled while driving to the basket during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Clippers guard Norman Powell takes a shot during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant drives to the basket during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue reacts after a foul call during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook shoots as Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker defends during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton drives to the basket over Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr., center, and Clippers center Mason Plumlee, right, during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant controls the ball as injured Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, top center, looks on from the bench during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr., left, defends against the Phoenix Suns’ Damion Lee during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant dunks during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, center, looks on from the bench in street clothes during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton drives to the basket over Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr., center, and Clippers center Mason Plumlee, rear, during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook scores over Phoenix Suns guard Torrey Craig during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant shoots as Clippers center Ivica Zubac defends during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Clippers guard Norman Powell soars to the basket for a dunk during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Clippers guard Norman Powell dunks during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant walks down the court during a timeout in the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Clippers guard Norman Powell takes a shot as Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker defends during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook handles the ball as Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker defends during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook shoots as Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker defends during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook gestures during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker looks to drive against Clippers guard Norman Powell during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. Booker had 45 points and Powell had 40 as the Suns held off the Clippers, 129-124. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue instructs his team from the sideline during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Clippers forward Nicolas Batum, right, defends as Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant shoots during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Clippers guard Bones Hyland takes a shot during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Clippers’ Terance Man and Bones Hyland, left, scramble for a loose ball against the Phoenix Suns’ Damion Lee during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue reacts after a foul call during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Clippers guard Bones Hyland, left, and Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant reach for the ball during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Clippers forward Nicolas Batum (33) defends against Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker shoots during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Clippers guard Bones Hyland, left, drives as Phoenix Suns guard Landry Shamet defends during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Clippers guard Chris Paul scores during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Clippers center Ivica Zubac takes a shot as Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker defends during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant takes a shot during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Bones Hyland takes a shot as Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul defends during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Phoenix Suns’ Bismack Biyombo controls the ball as Clippers forward Nicolas Batum, right, reaches for it during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Norman Powell takes a shot as Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant defends during the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Eric Gordon, right, fouls Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. The foul was overturned following a replay review. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Clippers guard Eric Gordon, left, fouls Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. The call was overturned after a video replay review. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Clippers guard Eric Gordon, left, reacts after a foul call during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant passes the ball during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Clippers guard Norman Powell, left, passes the ball around Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, center, and teammates Terance Mann, left, and Bones Hyland sit quietly on the bench during the fourth quarter of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, steals the ball from Clippers center Ivica Zubac during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Clippers guard Eric Gordon shoots as Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) defends during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker dunks during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker dunks during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker reacts after scoring during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook gets to the basket for a layup during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, right, shoots as Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. defends during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, left, knocks the ball away from Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, right, knocks the ball away from Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, right, reacts after a foul call as Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker looks on during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Clippers center Mason Plumlee dunks during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, center, scores past Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul handles the ball as the Clippers’ Norman Powell defends during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook passes the ball as Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul defends during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, left, misses a shot as Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant goes for the rebound during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Phoenix Suns’ Bismack Biyombo drives to the basket past Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr., bottom left, during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Phoenix Suns’ Bismack Biyombo, right, drives to the basket past Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr., left, during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Phoenix Suns’ Bismack Biyombo, left, celebrates after scoring and drawing a foul as the Clippers’ Terance Mann looks on during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul takes a shot during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr., center, shows his frustration after a foul call during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Clippers guard Bones Hyland dunks during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker passes the ball during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook drives as Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker defends during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker dribbles up the court during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker takes a shot in front of Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Injured Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, center, and other players react from the bench after a foul call during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant shoots as Clippers guard Norman Powell, left, defends during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Clippers guard Bones Hyland takes a shot as Phoenix Suns guard Torrey Craig defends during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Bones Hyland, left, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig defends during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Clippers guard Devin Booker scores in the paint during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker scores past the Clippers’ Terance Mann during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker celebrates after dunking during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Clippers’ Terance Mann, center, leaps for a rebound as Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant reaches for the ball during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Clippers’ Terance Mann, center, leaps for a rebound as Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant reaches for the ball during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul takes a shot during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook walks on the court during a timeout in the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, left, and guard Chris Paul celebrate after a 129-124 victory over the Clippers during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Clippers prepare to take on the Phoenix Suns in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, center, slaps hands with teammates during introductions before Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook gets ready before the first half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Fans sit in the stands surrounded by “All Hands” Clippers t-shirts prior to Game 3 of the team’s first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
“Go Clips Go” signs are left behind after the Phoenix Suns defeated the Clippers, 129-124, in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
LOS ANGELES — Bones Hyland gave two thumbs up when asked what the mood of the team was going into Thursday night’s Game 3. Nicolas Batum shrugged his shoulders about the prospect of facing the loaded Phoenix Suns without the help of their two biggest stars.
“We got a lot of other guys who can play,” Batum said.
The players learned shortly before the morning shootaround that Kawhi Leonard had suffered a sprained right knee and would not be available for Game 3 and possibly Game 4 of their first-round playoff series, if not longer. Leonard is expected to be re-evaluated Friday.
If he isn’t ready, he will again be on the bench with Paul George, who is also recovering from a sprained knee, which he suffered on March 21.
Yet, Coach Tyronn Lue took a positive approach to the situation, saying he had confidence in the players who were in uniform instead of dwelling on who wasn’t.
“I know it’s a tough challenge, but I’ve got confidence in our guys,” Lue said. “I feel confident in our guys that we can still get it done and they feel the same way.”
It’s a belief that carried them for a half. Then reality started to set in.
The Suns took control of the game in the third quarter then held off a late challenge by the Clippers to win, 129-124, and take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 4 is Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena.
Lue couldn’t adjust his lineup quickly enough to stop Suns stars Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, who combined for 73 points. Leonard’s absence enabled Durant to find his spots and score 28 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field and an 11-for-11 showing at the free-throw line, while Booker scored a game-high 45 points on 18-for-29 shooting and had seven rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots while playing a game-high 44 minutes. He had scored 38 in Game 2.
“He’s making some tough shots,” Clippers guard Russell Westbrook said of Booker. “But we got to be more aggressive on him, lock in on him and his tendencies. We’ll make sure we do that on Saturday, for sure.”
Chris Paul (11 points, seven assists), Deandre Ayton (12 points, 11 rebounds) and Torrey Craig (15 points) all scored in double figures for the fourth-seeded Suns.
The fifth-seeded Clippers didn’t give up easily, though. With Leonard watching from the bench, they trimmed the Suns’ lead to 105-99 on consecutive baskets by Terance Mann, Norman Powell and Hyland with 7:49 left. They then got within three on two free throws by Westbrook with 1:44 remaining. After a 6-0 run by the Suns, Powell hit a 3-pointer, got fouled and made the free throw to pull the Clippers within 125-120.
“I like what we brought. We did some good things. I liked our fight and our competitive nature tonight,” Lue said. “I thought everybody brought it. Some calls just didn’t go our way.
“They played well. We fought. We competed. A couple times for us, it was hard to get rebounds and balls down low in rotations. But like I said, I love our fight, love what we did tonight.”
Powell came out fighting to keep the Clippers from falling behind in the series. He had postseason career highs in points (42) and 3-pointers (seven) and finished 14 of 22 from the field. He is the fifth player in franchise history to score 40 points in a playoff game.
“We knew we needed a good game from him with Kawhi out,” Lue said of Powell, while highlighting Westbrook and Hyland. “He stepped up. Norm stepped up. Bones off the bench and was really good. We’re going to need it again on Saturday.”
Westbrook added 30 points to go along with 12 assists and seven rebounds but he had six turnovers. Hyland finished with 20 points to lead a Clippers bench that outscored their Phoenix counterparts 37-18.
But it wasn’t enough against the Suns, who capitalized on the Clippers’ turnovers (25 points off 18 turnovers) and foul shots. Phoenix shot 38 free throws, making 30, while the Clippers were 18 for 24 from the line.
Lue said Booker and the one-sided free throws “really hurt” the Clippers.
“We had some bad fouls when we got in the penalty early,” Lue said. “We wanted to bring physicality, but we got to be a little bit smarter. We can’t foul off the ball when they are in the bonus and things like that.”
Unlike the first two games, the Clippers struggled to get going in the first quarter. After scoring the opening six points, turnovers and poor shots crept into their game, and at one point, they had as many turnovers (six) as points.
But as the half progressed, the Clippers cut down their turnovers, increased their intensity on defense and kept putting the ball in Powell’s hands. Powell, starting in place of Leonard, had 22 points in the first half as the Clippers trailed 54-51 at halftime after a half in which neither team led by more than six.
The Suns pulled away in the third behind Booker. He scored eight points in a 17-8 run to open the period and give Phoenix its first double-digit lead of the game at 71-59.
Booker credited Durant’s presence for his ability to get to the basket.
“A lot of the buckets I scored, I went to him right after and said, ‘You opened that up for me,’” he said. “I expect the Clippers to make adjustments and it’ll be his turn to play.”
Westbrook scored seven in a row to cut the Clippers’ deficit to 71-66, but the Suns answered with eight straight, capped by Durant’s vicious one-handed dunk, to lead 79-66. They were ahead by seven going into the fourth.
Then without saying anything about his knee, Leonard played 39 minutes in the Game 2 loss and came away with 31 points on 11-of-20 shooting. In the first two games, he averaged 34.5 points on 54.5% shooting, 6.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists.
“He wanted to fight through it,” said Lawrence Frank, the team’s president of basketball operations. “Obviously he was able to play through Game 2. (But) symptoms got worse after Game 2.”
Without him, the Clippers couldn’t sustain any momentum and now find themselves trailing in the series with their pair of elite two-way players sitting on the bench.
“All the guys got to step up, and they understand that,” Lue said. “We’ve been in this position before, and we’ve just got to control what we can control.”
And on Thursday, they couldn’t control the Suns.
A new playoff career high for Norman Powell in Game 3! The @LAClippers can even the series at 2-2 with a win in Game 4.
