LOS ANGELES (AP) — Paul George delivered 27 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists as the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Phoenix Suns, 106-92 to pull within two games to one in the NBA’s Western Conference Finals. Reggie Jackson added 23 points for the Clippers, who took control with a 21-3 run that gave them a 71-56 lead in the third quarter. Suns guard Chris Paul made his series debut after coming out of COVID-19 protocol, finishing with 15 points and 12 assists.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Longtime Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle is returning to coach the Pacers, 14 years after his dismissal by Indiana. Carlisle will get a chance to make a quick fix with the same organization he led from 2003 to 2007 and took to the Eastern Conference finals in his first season with the team. He guided the Mavericks to the 2011 NBA championship and has won 1033 regular-season games over 13 seasons with Dallas, Indiana, and Detroit.