Booker sizzles with 45 points as Suns thwart Clippers for 2-1 lead

LOS ANGELES – The Phoenix Suns, fueled by Devin Booker's 45 points, put up a 2-1 series lead after a 129-124 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers at the Crypto.com Arena Thursday (Friday, Manila time).

The Clippers had to make do without star Kawhi Leonard, who was ruled out with a knee sprain as they returned home after splitting the first two games with the Suns in Phoenix.

It was a heavy blow for a team already without injured star Paul George, and even 42 points from Norman Powell and 30 points from Russell Westbrook weren't enough against a Suns team that had 28 points from Kevin Durant.