Ready or not, Durant, Suns prepare for Clippers series

PHOENIX (AP) — Kevin Durant's arrival in the desert hasn't gone exactly to plan. Because of injuries, the 13-time All-Star has played just eight games with the Phoenix Suns since he was acquired in a mid-February franchise shakeup.

But those eight games sure were impressive.

The Suns are unbeaten when Durant plays, giving the franchise plenty of hope that it can win an NBA championship for the first time in its 55 seasons. No. 4 seed Phoenix opens the playoffs Sunday against the No. 5 seed Los Angeles Clippers.

“Chemistry matters, being on the same page with your team matters,” Durant said. "In a perfect world, I would have loved to play more than eight games with this team. But I've just got to rest on me playing 1,000 games in the NBA.

“I'll figure it out.”

Durant's arrival has given the Suns a star quartet that also includes Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton. Phoenix is trying to make it back to the NBA Finals for the second time in three seasons — they faced the Bucks in 2021 and took a 2-0 lead before losing in six games.

The Clippers are back in the playoffs after getting bounced in the play-in tournament last season. It's a talented roster that includes nine-time All-Star Russell Westbrook, two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and other strong role players like Norman Powell, Ivica Zubac and Nicolas Batum.

Much like the Suns, the Clippers spent a big chunk of the season battling injuries. They're still missing All-Star Paul George — who is out with a sprained knee — but are otherwise fairly healthy.

“We know the Suns are a great team and have a great coach in Monty Williams, but we’re up for the challenge," Clippers coach Ty Lue said. "We’re in the playoffs, and it’s about being locked in.”

NO PG

The Clippers will be without George, at least to start the best-of-seven series. He sprained his right knee on March 21 and missed the final nine games of the regular season.

The team hasn’t provided an update this week on his status, although George said on his podcast, “I’ve been feeling better. Six days out of the week I’m training, doing rehab. I’m going to give it every chance I got.”

He was taking shots before practice Wednesday.

The Clippers host Games 3 and 4, and by then it will be a month since George got hurt.

ERASE THE TASTE

The Suns will be back in the playoffs for the first time since arguably the most humiliating postseason loss in franchise history.

The Dallas Mavericks embarrassed the Suns on their home court 123-90 in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals last season, taking a 30-point lead by halftime. Phoenix entered the postseason as the No. 1 overall seed after winning a franchise record 64 games in the regular season.

“Whenever you fall short of your goal, you want to get right back to it,” Booker said. “We swallowed that pill. It's on to the next one. Now we get another opportunity.”

KD AND RUSS

Durant and Westbrook will face each other in the playoffs for the first time.

They spent eight seasons together in Oklahoma City, where they made the 2012 NBA Finals and lost to Miami in five games.

“I’ve got nothing but respect for him and the things he’s done with his career, and happy to see him back from injury,” Westbrook said. “There’s no beef at all. But he knows I’m going to compete, and I know he’s going to compete, and that’s all it is.”

The teams split their season series 2-2, but the Clippers didn’t face Durant in their two wins because those came before the trade deadline.

Durant echoed that respect.

“It's always good playing against Hall of Famers, one of the best players to ever touch the court,” Durant said. “That's what you get with Russ and Kawhi out there.”

SAMPLE SIZE

In his eight regular-season games with Phoenix, Durant averaged 26 points per game and shot 57% from the field, including a stellar 53% from 3-point range.

INJURY WATCH

The Suns are hoping a pair of key veteran backups can play in Game 1 against the Clippers. Center Bismack Biyombo (knee contusion) and guard Cameron Payne (back soreness) left during the next to last game of the regular season because of injuries.

Coach Monty Williams was still hopeful both could play Sunday but didn't have an update on their conditions.

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AP Sports Writer Beth Harris in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

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