The Los Angeles Clippers kept their hopes of reaching the NBA finals alive with a 102-116 win over the Phoenix Suns in game five of their Western Conference finals series on Monday. The win keeps the series at 3-2 with the Clippers set to host the next game on Wednesday. 

Clippers forward Paul George scored a career-high 41 points in a playoff match and registered 13 rebounds and six assists while Marcus Morris Sr and Reggie Jackson combined for 45 points.

The Clippers took control of the contest early on, racing to a 20-5 lead. They maintained their control going into the half-time interval as Morris scored 20 points in the first two quarters to help the Clippers lead 59-52 at half-time. 

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The Suns led briefly in the third quarter before George scored 20 of his points and nearly outscored the Suns on his own as the Clippers established a 91-78 lead ahead of the final 15 minutes. 

The Suns fought back to cut the gap to four points in the fourth quarter but the Clippers held on to their lead. Star shooting guard Devin Booker led the scoring for the Suns with 31 along with four rebounds and three assists, while Chris Paul’s 22-point return was the only other significant contribution in their loss. 

With Kwahi Leonard injured, George – a seven-time All Star – led the Clippers by example as he went 15-of-20 from the floor.