Devin Booker scored 34 points, Deandre Ayton had 21 points and 16 rebounds and the Phoenix Suns won their first playoff game in 11 years, beating the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers 99-90 on Sunday.
It was the first playoff game for several Suns players, including Booker, Ayton and Mikal Bridges, but they didn’t look like postseason rookies against LeBron James and the Lakers. They helped Phoenix offset a tough game for veteran All-Star point guard Chris Paul, who didn’t look healthy after a right shoulder injury in the second quarter.
LeBron James won’t be suspended for protocols violation, sources tell ESPN. Nature of event didn’t rise to a threat level of virus spread, as described in @McTen‘s story below. Suns-Lakers Game 1 on Sunday. https://t.co/nEAcnBsbvv
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 22, 2021
Suns star Chris Paul is available to return and play in Game 1 vs. Lakers.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 23, 2021