NBA Playoff Reactions: June 20, 2021

Phoenix Suns 120, Los Angeles Clippers 114

Suns lead series 1-0

FINAL BOX SCORE

Chris Paul and Kawhi Leonard were out for this game, but that didn’t stop us from getting a fun, competitive matchup. This game had 13 ties and 20 lead changes. The margin was ten points at its largest, and was only so for a handful of possessions in the fourth quarter.

In the end, Phoenix did a much better job playing their style in Game 1. They beat LA 54-34 in the paint and 16-4 in fastbreak points. The Clippers managed to knock down 20 3-pointers in this game, outscoring Phoenix 60-39 from beyond the arc. However, that was countered by the Suns’ 72-40 advantage on 2-pointers. The Clippers switchability gave the Jazz fits, but didn’t find the same success against Deandre Ayton (20 points, nine rebounds) and the number of accomplished 3&D wings on Phoenix’s roster.

Devin Booker had a phenomenal game for it to be his first conference finals. With Chris Paul out, Booker basically took over the point guard role while still being a potent scorer. He came away with 40 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists. This is a classic performance that will definitely go down as one of the finest games of his career.

Paul George rebutted with 34 points, five assists, and four rebounds. Unfortunately, he found limited assistance from his teammates. Only three Clippers, including George, scored in double-figures. Meanwhile, six Suns, including Booker, finished with double-digit point totals.

Atlanta Hawks 103, Philadelphia 76ers 96

Hawks win series 4-3

FINAL BOX SCORE

Like the previous game, this was a pretty intense battle. Then again, you would expect this out of a Game 7. This game had 19 ties and 20 lead changes in this game before the victor was determined. The largest lead in the game — the Hawks up by seven points — happened twice: at the very end of the third quarter and at the end of the game. The Sixers never led by more than four points.

This game was determined by the Others on both teams. Trae Young had a terrible game, going 5-of-23 from the field while committing six turnovers and four fouls. However, he still stayed heavily engaged with the game, dishing out 10 assists and still ending up with 21 points thanks to his 9-of-11 performance from the line. Instead, Kevin Huerter was Atlanta’s leading scorer with 27 points, and three more Hawks joined him and Young with double-digit scoring totals.

Meanwhile, Joel Embiid powered his way to 31 points and 11 rebounds. Unfortunately, just two other Sixers joined him in double figures. Tobias Harris had 24 points and 14 rebounds, while Seth Curry had 16 points.

The most glaring absence from that rundown is Ben Simmons. He came away with 13 assists and eight rebounds, but 2016’s No. 1 overall draft pick scored just five points on 2-of-4 shooting. He flat out disappeared in this series. His lack of any shooting touch has been a liability for awhile, but never moreso than in this series. He averaged just 9.9 points in the seven games against Atlanta, getting above 10 points only three times. Simmons also ends the postseason with the worst free throw percentage on sizable volume in NBA playoff history.

Some consistent production from Simmons could have gone a long way towards Philadelphia advancing, and probably could have done it in fewer than seven games. Alas, the 76ers weren’t nearly as cohesive as the confident, resolute Atlanta Hawks. On paper, Philadelphia has more than enough talent to have reached their first conference finals since 2001. Instead, they’re eliminated and left with a myriad of questions about what their future holds.