On Wednesday, the Phoenix Suns exacted revenge on the Los Angeles Clippers, winning 124-108 on the road. Phoenix’s win put them one step closer to avoiding the play-in round. The Suns started the evening off after losing badly to Los Angeles 105-92 at home the previous evening, falling behind by as much as 37 points.
Even though they made amends, they did so versus a significantly depleted Clippers team sans players James Harden (foot), Paul George (knee), and Kawhi Leonard (knee). LA also lost starting center Ivica Zubac (ankle) and sixth man Russell Westbrook (hand).
Star guard Devin Booker led the Phoenix Suns with a game-high 37 points, four assists, and five 3-pointers on 54.2% shooting. Meanwhile, Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant, his co-stars, combined for 50 points.
Phoenix’s win ended their two-game losing run. The Suns have won 4 of their last six games, leaving them only one win away from a top-six spot despite their recent mistakes.
Also Read: Watch: Devin Booker’s Offensive Foul in the Suns-Pelicans Game Caused Things to Become Heated
The Phoenix Suns Can Only Finish in Sixth Place or Lower
Having defeated LA on Wednesday, the Suns (47-33) are still sixth in the Western Conference. They are only 0.5 games behind the New Orleans Pelicans (47-32), who are also ranked sixth. The Suns have won their season series 2-1 over New Orleans, and they hold the tiebreaker over them. Thus, all they have to do to guarantee a top-six finish is tie the Pelicans as per the latest NBA standings.
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But Phoenix Suns’s advantage over the eighth-seeded Sacramento Kings (45-34) is barely 1.5 games. Therefore, it can yet drop in the rankings. Regretfully, the Suns’ last games of the year will be on the road against both of the top eight teams in the Western Conference.
On Friday, they play the Kings, and on Sunday, they square off against the third-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves (55-25). Minnesota is vying for higher seeding in the top half of the Western Conference, while Sacramento is fighting for a postseason place.
Also Read: Los Angeles Clippers Officially Secure Playoff Spot After Defeating Phoenix Suns
