The Phoenix Suns were 8-0 with Kevin Durant in the line-up before the Sunday night opener of their 2023 post-season campaign. Durant, personally, was 19-1 in the season coming into Game 1 against the Los Angeles Clippers. However, neither Kawhi Leonard nor Russell Westbrook was scared to take on the Slim Reaper.
Advertisement
Without Paul George to help them win against KD, Devin Booker, and Chris Paul starrer Suns, the Clippers took home the victory. The Klaw led the way with a terrifically efficient 38-point performance to go along with 5 rebounds, 5 assists, a steal, and a block.
Westbrook was pretty rusty throughout the game and shot an abysmal 3/19 from the field and 1/6 from the field while the two teams were going back and forth, exchanging blows almost all game. So, Skip Bayless pounced on his chance to thrash “Westbrick” once again.
The man needs to know athletes are supposed to be like that. Only no memory of a horrible past hour can give athletes like Russell Westbrook the confidence to shoot two clutch free throws with the game on the line.
Russell Westbrook made Skip Bayless bite his tongue
With just over 17 seconds remaining in the game clock, Brodie with 7 points in the game was on the free-throw line with the Clippers clinging on to a 1-point lead.
And the 9x All-Star who hasn’t shot over 67% from the charity stripe for the last three seasons converted both with the game on the line.
Not just that, he also made a stop on the other end with 10 seconds remaining in the game clock when Booker was going a lay-up to cut the lead short to one point again. The Clips won the game 115-110 with a Terrance Mann dunk
The 71-year-old veteran analyst had to walk back a little on what he said earlier.
Westbrook had 9 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks by the final whistle. An impactful and much-needed performance if one ignores his efficiency.
Can the Clippers win the series against the Suns?
Skip Bayless who is a LA Clippers supporter, still does not think so. He made it clear with multiple tweets after praising Brodie.
However, with the away win under their belt, a Kawhi Leonard team can do anything when he has got solid players around him.
Even if Paul George stays out throughout this series, and supposing it goes to Game 7, Leonard and Westbrook will play their heart out, as they now know, there is a chance.
