LIVE BLOG: Suns, Clippers Battle in Game 4

The Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers embark in a tough Game 4 battle. Stay here for all the latest scores, updates and more.

Welcome to the Inside The Suns' live blog coverage of Game 4 between the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers! Stay here for everything up to date for today's action.

Final 112-100 PHX

The Suns captured a commanding 3-1 series lead agains the Clippers in Los Angeles Sunday afternoon. After a hot start the Suns cooled off and allowed the Clippers to lead by as many as 11. The Suns came back and took a one point lead to end the half. The second half played almost identical to the first with the Clippers jumping out to a 7-0 lead before the Suns were able to march back in the quarter and dominate in the fourth. The Suns will host the Clippers on Tuesday, tip off is scheduled for 7 PM. 

4th Quarter 112-100 PHX (29-22 PHX)

The Suns started out rocky but played their best minutes in the fourth quarter. Chris Paul came alive and both Booker and Durant finished the game with 30+. Russell Westbrook was a lightning rod for the Clippers without Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. 

2:57 - Chris Paul has put up back-to-back 3's to give Phoenix a 13 point lead, 109-96 PHX

4:20 - Craig with a fantastic rebound and score for the Suns, 104-96 PHX

It does in some ways feel Phoenix is in the drivers seat in this one but it feels like a rocky road at best.

5:32 - Durant scores a midrange shot to bring Phoenix to 100. 100-96 PHX

6:11 - The star power on Phoenix is keeping them in this one. The CP3 three brought the Suns up 98-93. 

7:00 - Westbrook is the first to 30 today, 95-91 PHX

7:50 - Russell Westbrook was, at one point this year, thought to be on his way out of the league. He is the greatest enemy Phoenix has in finishing what has been an undeserving game for Phoenix, 91-89 PHX 

8:57 - The Suns are able to take advantage with the Clippers starters on the bench and have their largest lead on the game, 91-83 PHX

10:20 - Déjà vu all over again for the Suns who once again look out matched early, 85-18 PHX

3rd Quarter 83-78 PHX (35-31 PHX)

After what was a 7-0 run by the Clippers to begin the quarter the Suns were able to regroup and take a five point lead to end it. Booker had his second quarter of scoring 11. Westbrook is looking OKC vintage for the Clippers once again. 

2:20 - The Suns just completed the ugliest layup on at least the 2022 season as a missed CP3 three point attempted missed before being rebounded by Okogie back to Paul on one leg before going out to Booker and then to Durant, 79-73 PHX

5:17 - Booker to Durant for the lead, 68-66 PHX

Slow starts will need to be addressed going forward but how the Suns keep finding their way back in has been impressive when executed all season

6:49 - Booker terminator activated, 62-60 LA

Book is heating up 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Yd13ueKuoI

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 22, 2023

8:53 - Booker seems to have found his shot but the Clippers still are playing much better defense and it's clearly getting to Phoenix a little, 58-54 LA

10:56 - Phoenix calls a timeout after a 7-0 run by the Clippers to begins the second half. 54-48 LA

Halftime

The Suns started and finished the first half quite hot with plenty to be desired from the five minute mark in the first quarter to the five minute mark in the second quarter. Booker seemingly found and loss his shot (11 points first quarter / 2 points second quarter). Phoenix has been conservative at the three point line taking just 9 attempts to LA's 18. The Clippers came out aggressive and gave Phoenix the advantage on the charity line with the Suns scoring 12 of 15 attempts. 

2nd Quarter 48-47 (25-17 PHX)

The Suns trailed by as many as 11 in the second quarter but was able to mount their way back thanks to KD heating up and the Clippers finding their way into foul trouble early.

2:55- KD three was no good but Biyombo was able to finish LOUD, 46-40 PHX 

5:00 - Game is tied up thanks to a KD jumpshot and an assist by Booker, 40 All

pic.twitter.com/hoD00ChXdg

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 22, 2023

6:54 - Clippers have led by as many as 11. Kevin Durant is beginning to heat up while also passing the rock, typical Durant things. Suns have seeming found some rhythm while LA is starting to crack. Plumlee has been a game changer for the Clippers up the middle as well. 36-34 LA

10:54 - Suns are called for a shot clock violation as the Clippers continue their ways, 30-23 LA

1st Quarter 30-23

The Suns came out hot but the Clippers finished the quarter much stronger. The Suns have looked strong rebounding so far but have been denied quality shots thanks to the likes of Westbrook and Mason Plumlee. The quarter ends with the Suns shooting 28% compared to LA's 45.8%

55.3 - A 12-2 run for the Clippers has brought out the life at Crypto. Suns are rebounding well but have been underwhelming when shooting, 28-23 LA

2:51 - Suns continue to struggle in transition and passing. Westbrook made a three. Just like in game 1 early Phoenix is being out shot but the game is staying close in large part to Booker's 11 points so far. 21-21 All. 

4:57 - Suns are 4-7 from the free throw line early and lead 17-16

6:53 - Clippers call a timeout after Booker scores three after three offensive rebounds. Suns seem to be having some small communication errors on the court early after Deandre Ayton missed Chris Paul and then another missed pass in the last offensive possession. Seems good to note as well that the "mid-range" brothers were in full effect with the Suns taking their first official 3-point attempt after nearly five minutes of play. Clippers have looked offensively sound so far as well with Westbrook and Powell guiding the offense early. 16-9 Suns

11:00 - First points of the game come on Devin Booker free throws, 2-0 Suns

PREGAME

The Clippers have had to battle injuries throughout through each of the three games played this series, and that continues in Game 4. LA began their postseason run without Paul George but eventually saw Kawhi Leonard miss Game 3 with a sprained knee. Leonard was ruled out for Game 4 on Friday afternoon.

However, Los Angeles hasn't made it easy for Phoenix despite the Suns' star-studded lineup. Even without Leonard, the Clippers lost by a mere five points last time out thanks to a combined 72 points from Norman Powell and Russell Westbrook.

Should Los Angeles continue playing as they have been under head coach Ty Lue, things should again be close.

Devin Booker hopes to keep his insane scoring output alive in Game 4, as Booker is fresh off a 45-point performance from Thursday. He's averaging 36.3 points per game thus far in the postseason.

A win today for the Suns would see the squads go back to the Valley for a Game 5 that could see the Clippers eliminated on Tuesday.

According to Land of Basketball, teams who hold a 2-1 series lead win roughly 80% of the time. That number jumps to 95% with a 3-1 lead. 

SERIES RECAP

Game 1: Clippers 115, Suns 110 (LAC 1-0)

Game 2: Suns 123, Clippers 109 (Tied 1-1)

Game 3: Suns 129, Clippers 124 (PHX 2-1)