The Phoenix Suns are two wins away from an NBA Finals appearance, and they are silencing the critics one game at a time.
Amongst the final four teams in the NBA Playoffs this season, there was a very short list of traits implying that any of them were championship material. However, the Phoenix Suns have continued to change that narrative over the last few weeks.
And, specifically, as they took a 2-0 series lead over the LA Clippers in the Western Conference Finals.
In Game 2 against the Clippers, without Chris Paul, the Suns didn’t appear to slow down at all. As Phoenix has continued to find a way to win without Paul, Devin Booker continues to step up in a big way as he proves he’s more than just a supporting piece.
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Booker turned in another good performance despite battling an off-shooting night. The good news is that Cameron Payne and Deandre Ayton were there to pick up the slack without Paul. Payne and Ayton combined to score 53 points as the Suns escaped with a Game 2 win. To say that they broke the barriers of their roleplaying tendencies would be a massive understatement.
For the first time in a while, the Suns demonstrated what both good team chemistry and depth are supposed to look like in a pivotal moment. By doing so, they have certainly looked the part of a Finals-winning squad.
Not every single thing about Game 2 in itself was perfect. Despite all that was just addressed, they still beat the Clippers by only one buzzer-beating basket. And that was with Kawhi Leonard still absent due to injury, along with fellow Clipper Paul George missing two free throws in the game’s final seconds.
But it’s not as if Phoenix was at their peak, either. As previously established, floor general Chris Paul was not present, while Devin Booker was headbutted midgame. Considering those details, along with losing literally at the last second and officially being down 2-0 in the series, Los Angeles surely has little-to-no momentum heading into the next installment of the affair.
With how it looks currently, the Suns should have the Western Conference crown in the bag. All they have to do is capitalize on the Clippers’ weaknesses and continue to function as a team. If done successfully, their Finals drought will finally come to an end.