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NBA 2021 Western Conference Semi-final: Suns sweep the Nuggets to clinch a spot in the Conference Final

The Phoenix Suns are headed to the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2010 after Chris Paul put on a scintillating display.

Chris Paul and Devin Booker were amazing throughout the Playoffs, Image credit: Twitter/Phoenix Suns
By Amruth Kalidas | Jun 14, 2021 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

The Phoenix Suns are headed to the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2010. Chris Paul was once again the star for Phoenix Suns as they closed out the Denver Nuggets in Game 4, 125-118, on Sunday to complete the sweep. The Suns will now face off against the winner between the top-ranked Utah Jazz and No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers. The Jazz currently lead that series 2-1.

Devin Booker and Chris Paul led the way for Phoenix. Booker had 34 points and 11 rebounds, while Paul added a game-high 37 points and 7 assists. In the process, Paul moved up to 13th on the NBA’s all-time postseason assists list. The Suns have now won seven straight games, and are playing their best basketball of the season at the right time.

Will Barton paced the Nuggets with 25 points, and freshly minted MVP Nikola Jokic added 22 points and 11 rebounds. Jokic’s night ended early though, as he was ejected in the third quarter following a flagrant foul on Suns guard Cam Payne.

CHRIS PAUL AKA “POINT GOD”

Chris Paul was absolutely electric on Sunday. Paul turned back the clock and submitted one of his best-ever postseason performances. He tallied 37 points, shooting 14 of 19 from the floor, seven assists, three rebounds and two steals. The point production was the most that he’s scored in any game since 2018. He became the oldest player with 35-plus points on 70 percent shooting in a playoff game since 1965. 

At 36 years old, Paul’s longevity is extremely impressive. Everyone loves to talk about LeBron James’ longevity, rightfully so, but Paul should be mentioned in the same breath. Over a decade and a half into his career, Paul still appears to be near the peak of his powers, and he’s an enormous part of the reason why the Suns are now headed to the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2010.

A DISSAPOINTING END TO A STELLAR SEASON

Nikola Jokic had the best season of his career. He averaged 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists in 34.6 minutes per performance, while playing in all 72 regular-season games and leading the Nuggets to the third seed in the competitive Western Conference. 

He was awarded with the NBA’s MVP as a result of his efforts, and it’s a season that will always be remembered in the history books.

Jokic’s stellar season came to an extremely disappointing, and frustrating, end on Sunday. Not only were his Nuggets swept in the series by the Suns, he was ejected in the third quarter following a flagrant foul on Suns guard Cam Payne.

Jokic became just the second MVP to be ejected from a playoff game in the last 25 years. The other was Stephen Curry in 2016. Jokic also became just the fifth MVP to be swept in a playoff series, and the first since Magic Johnson in 1989.

The Suns are currently the hottest team in the NBA, and no opponent will be eager to match up against.

The Suns will keep on eye on the other semi-final between Jazz and Clippers. They will face the winner of that series in the Conference finals.



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