Deandre Ayton jammed an alley-oop pass from Jae Crowder with 0.7 seconds left, giving the Phoenix Suns a thrilling 104-103 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals.
The Suns were down one with 0.9 seconds left when Crowder lofted a high pass on an out-of-bounds play on the baseline. A soaring Ayton came down the lane and stuffed it through the net over L.A.'s Ivica Zubac as the crowd roared in disbelief at Phoenix Suns Arena.
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Deandre Ayton jammed an alley-oop pass from Jae Crowder with 0.7 seconds left, giving the Phoenix Suns a thrilling 104-103 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals.
The Suns now have a 2-0 lead in the series heading to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Thursday night. The Clippers will be fighting from a 2-0 deficit for the third time in these playoffs after rallying to beat the Mavericks and Jazz in the first two rounds.
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) dribbles against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of Game 2 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals, Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP PhotoMatt York)
Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, right, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder and center Deandre Ayton, left, defend during the first half of game 2 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals, Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP PhotoMatt York)
Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne drives against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of Game 2 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals, Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP PhotoMatt York)
Fans watch players warm up before Game 2 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Clippers, Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP PhotoMatt York)
Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley, top, reacts after being called for a foul on Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, bottom, during the second half of Game 2 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals, Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP PhotoMatt York)
Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley, right, shows officials blood on his hand as he reacts after being called for a foul on Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker during the second half of Game 2 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals, Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP PhotoMatt York)
The referees spent about a minute reviewing the play before ruling the basket was good. The Clippers couldn't get a shot off in the final 0.7 seconds.
Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, middle, shoots against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of Game 2 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals, Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP PhotoMatt York)
The Suns now have a 2-0 lead in the series heading to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Thursday night. The Clippers will be fighting from a 2-0 deficit for the third time in these playoffs after rallying to beat the Mavericks and Jazz in the first two rounds.
The Crowder-to-Ayton connection negated a Clippers rally that was led by Paul George, who had 26 points.
Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George, right, is defended by Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker during the first half of Game 2 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals, Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP PhotoMatt York)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) dribbles against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of Game 2 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals, Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP PhotoMatt York)
Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, right, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder and center Deandre Ayton, left, defend during the first half of game 2 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals, Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP PhotoMatt York)
Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne drives against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of Game 2 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals, Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP PhotoMatt York)
Fans watch players warm up before Game 2 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Clippers, Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP PhotoMatt York)
Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley, top, reacts after being called for a foul on Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, bottom, during the second half of Game 2 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals, Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP PhotoMatt York)
Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley, right, shows officials blood on his hand as he reacts after being called for a foul on Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker during the second half of Game 2 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals, Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP PhotoMatt York)