Making sure that the Clippers will still be in the season, he led his team with 41 points past the Phoenix Suns, 116-102. With this, Clippers remains in the postseason, bringing the series to 3-2.
According to George, the team wasnt willing to back down and throw the towel. However, it is the fact that the Suns got them beat that kept George and the rest of the Clippers hard on the game. If the Suns beat them, then theyre out. If they win, then they can continue the season. This mentality kept them going.
Its also this mentality that got the Clippers going early, taking control of the game right from the start. During Game 5, the Suns just hung around while the Clippers made sure to keep their lead, hard-earned by Marcus Morris and his impressive shots from the field.
The game got tougher with Devin Booker of the Suns almost coming through during the second quarter. He got in a 2-point buzzer-beater after getting Reggie Jackson fly off a pump fake. The Suns wrestled the lead from the Clippers a few minutes of the third quarter, but it wasnt for long.
Paul George came barreling in the second half of the game, scoring 20 points and shooting 7-of-9 from the field. Just on his own, he almost outscored the Suns in the third quarter. In the end, the Clippers won Game 5 by 14 points, with George dropping 41 points, 15-of-20 from the field, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists.