Paul George and Terance Mann each scored 26 points and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Phoenix Suns 116-107 on Thursday night in the final game before the All-Star break.
CLIPPERS WIN!!! pic.twitter.com/HY1kLms5Fq
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) February 17, 2023
Kahwi Leonard finished with 16 points, all in the second half, and nine rebounds. Ivica Zubac and Eric Gordon each contributed 13 points and Zubac had 12 rebounds.
With his 1.979th career three, George passed Joe Johnson for 16th place on the NBA’s all-time three-point field goal list.
Congrats, @Yg_Trece! 👌
With his 1,979th career three, Paul George passed Joe Johnson for 16th place on the @NBA's all-time three-point field goal list. pic.twitter.com/CoGi7QwAeQ
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) February 17, 2023
The Clippers have scored 100 or more points in 20 of their last 21 games.
The Suns stars Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, especially, were a step slow all night and the Clips had just enough to keep a good 4-8 point lead all night.
Nigerian Josh Okogie, who was active on the defensive front, was able to finish the night with a team-high 24 points.
New guy Terrance Ross, in his 11th NBA season, was able to live up to his scoring reputation, putting up 16 points off the bench in 25 minutes. He shot 7-of-17 from the field overall.
The loss was the Suns’ first against a Pacific Division opponent in 10 games, and the Clippers moved ahead of Phoenix into second place going into the All-Star break.
Clippers host Sacramento Kings while the Suns host Oklahoma City Thunder on Feb. 24.