The LA Clippers wanted every part they needed to beat the Phoenix Suns to safe the fifth seed within the Western Convention playoffs, together with overcoming a quick heated disagreement on the bench between Mason Plumlee and Bones Hyland in between the third and fourth quarters.
On the finish of the third quarter of the Clippers’ all-important 119-114 win over the Suns in Phoenix, Plumlee and Hyland bought into an argument over what gave the impression to be a defensive breakdown on a possession seconds earlier.
Clippers coach Ty Lue stated the 2 teammates cleared the air.
“They labored it out,” Lue advised reporters after the win. “That is OK. All the things’s good.”
The Clippers will face the Suns in a best-of-seven first-round collection beginning Sunday in Phoenix. Issues will get rather a lot more durable for the Clippers as a result of they must face Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, who had been amongst seven Suns held out within the regular-season finale.
On Sunday, the Clippers had their palms full with the Suns’ reserves, and issues bought tense when Plumlee and Hyland gave the impression to be upset over communication about who was speculated to get out on the perimeter to protect Terrence Ross, who took and missed a wide-open 3 with 8.8 seconds left as Hyland bought screened by an enormous man.
After Plumlee scored on a dunk on the finish of the third, the Clippers huge man walked again to the bench and stated one thing to Hyland. The 2 teammates then bought nose to nose, exchanging phrases earlier than Hyland pushed Plumlee. Teammates shortly bought between the 2 to diffuse the transient state of affairs.
The 2 appeared to get on the identical web page through the break. Lue began the fourth quarter with Hyland and Plumlee on the ground they usually helped erase a four-point deficit with a 10-6 run.
“It’s a huge recreation, so if it ain’t proper, do one thing to repair it,” Lue stated of Plumlee and Hyland. “And after that little skirmish we took off and performed rather a lot higher. So possibly we must always do this extra typically.”
The Clippers had been feeling the strain needing a win over the Suns to safe the fifth seed and keep out of the play-in match. If the Clippers misplaced to Phoenix, they may have dropped as little as seventh.
Regardless of not having to face the Suns’ stars, the Clippers trailed by as a lot as 11. The sport was tied with 6:46 remaining.
Kawhi Leonard scored 12 of his 25 factors within the fourth quarter, together with the Clippers’ closing eight factors to safe the win.
Leonard additionally had 15 rebounds and 6 assists.
“Took all we had,” Leonard stated in a postgame interview with Bally Sports activities. “Guys out and in all season. … [The season is] not over but.”
The Clippers must begin the collection towards Durant’s Suns with out All-Star Paul George, who lately began exercising as he continues to rehab his method again from a sprained proper knee. The Clippers stated there isn’t any timeline for George’s return.
“It is going to take all we now have,” Leonard stated.