Russell Westbrook's fourth quarter heroics help Clippers stun Suns in Game 1

Benyam Kidane

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Russell Westbrook's fourth quarter heroics help Clippers stun Suns in Game 1 image

The Los Angeles Clippers escaped with a 115-110 win at Footprint Center, to take a 1-0 series lead over the Phoenix Suns.

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Kawhi Leonard led the charge with a game-high 38 points, five assists, and five rebounds, while Eric Gordon added 19 points and Ivica Zubac finished with a 12-point, 15-rebound double-double.

But it was Russell Westbrook's late-game heroics that made the difference as the former MVP's relentless energy and hustle swung the game in the Clippers' favor. 

Westbrook delivers in the clutch

There's been plenty of noise surrounding Russell Westbrook this season and in Game 1 against the Suns, the former MVP sent a timely reminder of exactly what he's capable of.

While it was a tough night shooting the ball going 3-of-19 from the field, Westbrook left his mark on the game, leading the Clippers in virtually every other category (assists, offensive rebounds, steals, and blocks), with nine points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and three blocks on the night.

In the fourth quarter alone, Westbrook racked up five rebounds (two on the offensive glass), three assists, a steal, and two blocks.

None bigger than this clutch defensive stop on Devin Booker, with the Clippers leading 111-108 with just over 10 seconds remaining. 

As Booker attacked the rim, Westbrook came up with the huge rejection and had the presence of mind to slap the ball off Booker's leg, before it went out of bounds, securing possession for the Clippers.

Prior to his game-saving block, Westbrook put the Clippers in the driver's seat, draining two clutch free throws to keep the Suns at bay with 17 seconds to play. 

"It's timing, it's the will to win," Westbrook said of his display on the offensive glass.

"Being able to make plays, understanding time, score, possession, and at this position, humbly speaking, nobody's a better rebounder than me."

The Suns finished with three players scoring 20+ points with Devin Booker recording 26, and Torrey Craig 22, while Kevin Durant led them in scoring with 27 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds, reserving praise for his former running mate's impact on the game.

"He [Westbrook] made some huge plays there in the fourth on the offensive glass," Durant said postgame. 

"That's how they're going to get points, that's how they're going to get extra possessions, 10 more possessions than us, [we] can't win a game like that."

The Suns will look to bounce back in Game 2 on Tuesday, April 18 in Phoenix with tip-off set for 10:00 p.m. ET.

Benyam Kidane

Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor and has been covering the league for The Sporting News since 2016. In his spare time you can find him watching Allen Iverson highlights on repeat.