Clippers vs. Suns live updates: Game 1 of NBA Western Conference finals
The Clippers are in uncharted territory today, in Phoenix to square off with the Suns in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, the Clippers’ first ever appearance beyond the postseason’s second round.
The fourth-seeded Clippers punched their historic ticket on Friday night when they eliminated the top-seeded Utah Jazz with a Game 6 victory in front of the first full-capacity Staples Center crowd since March 2020. In the process, the Clippers became the first team in NBA history to win multiple best-of-seven series in the same postseason after falling behind 2-0.
The second-seeded Suns have had a less drama-filled journey here, sweeping MVP Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets in the second round and giving themselves a seven-day break between series. Phoenix will be without All-Star point guard Chris Paul, who has kept away from his Suns teammates due to the NBA’s health and safety protocols. If and when he will be available to return during the series remains unclear.
The Clippers remain without All-NBA first-team forward Kawhi Leonard, who missed the last two games of the Utah series with what the team has called a sprained right knee, which he suffered late in Game 4 against the Jazz. The team has not ruled him out for Game 2, but he did not travel to Phoenix with the team.
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS SCHEDULE:
(best-of-seven, all times PT)
Game 1: Sunday (6/20) at Phoenix, 12:30 p.m. (ABC/Ch. 7)
Game 2: Tuesday (6/22) at Phoenix, 6 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 3: Thursday (6/24) at L.A., 6 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 4: Saturday (6/26) at L.A., 6 p.m. (ESPN)
*Game 5: Monday (6/28) at Phoenix, 6 p.m. (ESPN)
*Game 6: Wednesday (6/30) at L.A., 6 p.m. (ESPN)
*Game 7: Friday (7/2) at Phoenix, 6 p.m. (ESPN)
*if necessary
Pregame links and reading:
Whicker: Heady days for Clipper fans who haven’t forgotten how to feel | Clippers, Suns meet in Western Conference finals filled with unknowns | Whicker: To make a memory, Clippers dissolve a 2015 nightmare | Tyronn Lue calls on L.A. basketball fans to rally around Clippers | Clippers erase 25-point deficit to stun Jazz, reach first conference finals | Mann has breakout Game 6 effort that shows growth | Clippers go forth again without Kawhi Leonard | Clippers vs. Suns: Western Conference finals schedule, scouting report, prediction |