November 8, 2024

Booker, Suns top Lakers in Game 1, Paul suffers shoulder injury

Suns #Suns

LeBron James started hot from 3, but Phoenix wasn’t going anywhere .

Chris Paul went down with a right shoulder contusion, but the Suns kept rolling.

Someone forgot to tell them they hadn’t been to the playoffs in 11 years.

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

Devin Booker erupted for 34 points in his first playoff game in leading Phoenix to a 99-90 victory in Game 1 over the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers in this best-of-7 first round series before a roaring sellout crowd of 11,824 Sunday at Phoenix Suns Arena amid COVID-19 restrictions.

a man wearing a costume: Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives past Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges, left, during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin). © Ross D. Franklin, AP Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives past Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges, left, during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin).

Deandre Ayton added a double-double of 21 points and 16 rebounds in his first playoff game as Phoenix won despite Paul finishing with just seven points and suffering a shoulder injury with 9:19 left in the first half.

a man holding a basketball: May 23, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Lakers Dennis Schroder (17) draws a foul on Suns' Deandre Ayton (22) during the first quarter of game 1 against the Lakers at Phoenix Rising Stadium. Patrick Breen-Arizona Republic © Patrick Breen/The Republic May 23, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Lakers Dennis Schroder (17) draws a foul on Suns’ Deandre Ayton (22) during the first quarter of game 1 against the Lakers at Phoenix Rising Stadium. Patrick Breen-Arizona Republic

The 16-year veteran returned to action later in the second quarter, wasn’t himself, but two more first-time playoff participants, Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, each scored 10 as Johnson returned after missing final six games of regular season with right wrist sprain.

James started 2-of-2 from 3, but finished 3-of-7 as the Lakers shot 6-of-25 from deep for the game.

Game 2 Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Phoenix.

James led the Lakers with 18 points, Dennis Schroder went for 14 while Anthony Davis went for just 13 on 5-of-16 shooting. 

Along with Paul’s shoulder injury, there was another game-stopping moment when Cameron Payne, Montrezl Harrell and Alex Caruso had a skirmish in the second half that led to Payne 

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

Support local journalism. Start your online subscription.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Booker, Suns top Lakers in Game 1, Paul suffers shoulder injury

Leave a Reply