Suns’ poor shooting dooms team in WCF Game 3 loss to Clippers

Despite getting Chris Paul back for the first time in the series, the Phoenix Suns couldn’t consistently find the bottom of the basket and fell to the Los Angeles Clippers 106-92 in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.

Even with the loss, Phoenix still has a 2-1 advantage in the series ahead of Game 4 Saturday.

Devin Booker was 5-for-21 from the floor for 15 points, grabbing five rebounds and five assists.

Paul in his first game since the series-clinching game against the Denver Nuggets also struggled, going 5 of 19 from the floor with 15 points. He added 12 assists and drained all three of his free throw attempts.

Phoenix came into the game with a 49% shooting percentage in the playoffs, but only reached 38.9% in the loss.

Also hurting the team was the loss of Cam Payne, who left after the first quarter with a left ankle injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the game.

The Clippers, meanwhile, were able to boost their lead with an impressive second half from beyond the arch.

The team went to the locker room going 3-for-17 (17.6%) from long range, but in the second half drained 9-of-17 attempts (52.9%).

Paul George and Reggie Jackson led the Clippers, scoring 27 and 23 points, respectively.

Game 4 tips off at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

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