Phoenix Suns reach 1st NBA Playoffs final since 1993

By Saheed Afolabi

The Phoenix Suns reached the NBA finals for the first time since 1993 after wrapping up the Western Conference finals title against the Los Angeles Clippers.

They beat the Clippers 130-103 to secure a 4-2 series win.

Chris Paul was the key figure for the Suns with 41 points while Devin Booker added 22.

They will face either the Milwaukee Bucks or Atlanta Hawks in the best-of-seven championship final.

Paul, 36, has been selected for 11 NBA All-Star teams and won two Olympic golds with the USA, but this is the first time the former Clipper has reached the finals after joining the Suns last year from Oklahoma City.

“This feels good,” he said. “It has been a lot of work, going to a new team, everybody staying the course.

“Sixteen years of this, 16 years of surgeries, of hard work, of losses – bad losses. We’re going to enjoy tonight.”

Paul, who played for the Clippers between 2011 and 2017, added: “I’m just so happy for all the people around me. To do it here against a team I have the utmost respect for. I’ll always be a Clipper. I love these fans.”