After the Phoenix Suns entered the fourth quarter of Game 5 trailing the Los Angeles Clippers by 14 points, it took just five minutes for them to cut the deficit to four.
But then former OKC Thunder players ice the win for the Clippers. LA went on a 14-2 run behind Reggie Jackson and Paul George, clinching the 116-102 Clippers win and forcing Game 6 at Staples Center.
To start the decisive stretch, Jackson hit a 3 and George hit a 2. After Suns forward Torrey Craig hit a layup, Jackson scored five points in a row. George scored the next four points.
If you’ve been waiting to break out the Playoff P moniker and have yet to do it during George’s playoff run, now is the time.
George scored 20 points in the third quarter and 10 in the fourth.
He finished with 41 points on an incredible 15-for-20 shooting performance, and he made all eight free throws he attempted. George also had 13 rebounds, six assists and three steals.
The wing was in his MVP-caliber form and has scored at least 20 points in every playoff game this season.
Jackson similarly continued his stellar play. With 23 points, Jackson has scored at least 20 points in six of the last seven games, and in that outlier, he posted 19. He has been a key part of the Clippers this offseason and is a big reason they’re still in contention.
On the Suns side, Chris Paul had 22 points on 8-for-19 shooting to go with eight assists. Fellow former Thunder guard Cam Payne had just five points for the second game in a row, and he has not looked good since the ankle injury that forced him out of Game 3 after only four minutes. Devin Booker had 31 points.
Game 6 will take place on Wednesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. Central Time (6 p.m. Pacific Time) and will be aired on ESPN.