5 Reasons why Phoenix Suns lost 102-116 against LA Clippers in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals | 2021 NBA Playoffs

#3 Phoenix Suns forgot Deandre Ayton

Deandre Ayton #22 reacts after a blocked shot.

Deandre Ayton has been the Phoenix Suns’ ace in this series. He was one of the key players who could potentially be the difference between winning and losing against the LA Clippers. Without Ivica Zubac, who was ruled out with an injury, Game 5 provided an opportunity to give Ayton the ball down low and let him feast on smaller opponents.

But the Suns played right into the hands of the LA Clippers, who allowed them to keep shooting 3-pointers. Ayton was hardly fed the ball, taking just nine shots the whole night. He finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

---

#4 Phoenix Suns’ poor transition defense

The LA Clippers' fast breaks were a beauty to watch, especially in the first half when they scored 13 of their 19 fast-break points. Consequently, the Phoenix Suns’ transition defense was atrocious, as evidenced by DeMarcus Cousins’ steal and coast-to-coast basket.

Boogie with the steal and goes coast to coast! 😯🎥: @espn pic.twitter.com/JBhqmfgvzR

— USA TODAY NBA (@usatodaynba) June 29, 2021

With the Suns making just eight fast-break points of their own, they gave up too much in transition to have any chance of winning this game.

---

#5 Reggie Jackson does it again for LA Clippers

Reggie Jackson of the LA Clippers reacts to a play

During a crucial moment in the fourth quarter when the Phoenix Suns were making a final run, Reggie Jackson doused cold water on that rally by draining two threes and a fast-break dunk in less than two minutes.

R3GGIE! 👌🏾 pic.twitter.com/KhIDhdRmpz

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) June 29, 2021

The 31-year-old veteran calmly sank the two 3-pointers sandwiching George’s basket to extend his side's lead. This came right after the Suns had cut the LA Clippers' lead to 10. Jackson's dunk then made it a 12-point margin.

The Phoenix Suns needed to make stops to catch up in the fourth quarter. But they practically exchanged baskets instead, scoring just 24 points while the LA Clippers had 25.

---