Playoffs: Suns @ Clippers Thursday game thread 4-20-2023 - Game 3

[Cheesebeef]

I think it's something worse that a simple sprain. It wouldn't be the first time a team has downplayed the seriousness of an injury.

oh, gotcha.

 

[Covert Rain]

oh, gotcha.

I guess it could be that it's a borderline type situation and they are thinking taking a game off would allow him to go the rest of the way. I guess that's possible. It's just normally in playoff runs outside of serious injury you see guys dragging themselves out there. You might be right though. If he is not 100% he won't play.

 

[Superbone]

Let Russ cook!! (to the tune of 9-40

Like the proverbial frog in slowly boiling water.

 

[Superbone]

part of me is bummed just because I'd like to see this team really tested to believe in them the way I normally would.

the other (larger) part of me is like... whatever it freaking takes to advance and let this team still figure itself out. If this is 2021 all over again where we get a ton of injury breaks en route to the Finals, I ain't gonna cry over it.

I thought we were going to win anyway but his makes it a heck of a lot easier. ZERO excuses not to win tonight.

 

[82CardsGrad]

I guess it could be that it's a borderline type situation and they are thinking taking a game off would allow him to go the rest of the way. I guess that's possible. It's just normally in playoff runs outside of serious injury you see guys dragging themselves out there. You might be right though. If he is not 100% he won't play.

If Kawhi plays in Game 4, it would be a MASSIVE snub and huge disrespect to the Suns. If I were the Suns and Kawhi plays Game 4, I would be intensely pissed off! The Clippers would be indicating how little they think of the Suns, by "resting" Kawhi for just a game...

 

[Cheesebeef]

I guess it could be that it's a borderline type situation and they are thinking taking a game off would allow him to go the rest of the way. I guess that's possible. It's just normally in playoff runs outside of serious injury you see guys dragging themselves out there. You might be right though. If he is not 100% he won't play.

yeah... I've really got no clue. I just want us to take advantage, blow them out and get our guys a little break on the minutes with 4 games in 6 days.

I don't want KD to be the next of the old-oft-injured guys to go down.

 

[Jakester]

No excuse not to take control of the series right here with Kawhi out now as well.

 

[Covert Rain]

yeah... I've really got no clue. I just want us to take advantage, blow them out and get our guys a little break on the minutes with 4 games in 6 days.

I don't want KD to be the next of the old-oft-injured guys to go down.

I don't dare say it but Paul injured his hand. I wonder if the Suns should rest him to ensure his health the rest of the series.

 

[GatorAZ]

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[Vacard]

Any word on Payne?

 

[Covert Rain]

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So dude is averaging more than 30 PPG on a sprained knee he suffered before the playoffs? Not only that by Lue played him 40+ minutes?!?

Wow.

 

[GatorAZ]

So dude is averaging more than 30 PPG on a sprained knee he suffered before the playoffs? Not only that by Lue played him 40+ minutes?!?

Wow.

They messed up playing him game 2.

 

[Ronin]

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[Ronin]

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[Cheesebeef]

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they really jammed us in with games in the first week of the playoffs.

The Warriors have TWO three-day breaks between games. Same as the Lakers. And had them early.

We don't get that break until after playing 4 games in 6 days, Sunday night to Saturday afternoon.

Would be pretty crazy if the Clips are load managing after all because the next game is Saturday afternoon.

 

[Rivercard]

Would be pretty crazy if the Clips are load managing after all because the next game is Saturday afternoon.

That would be crazy, so no way it's as simple as that. You don't load manage in the playoffs if you are healthy. If anything Leonard is hurt more than is being said and will be out longer that expected.

Suns sure have been fortunate with opponents stars being hurt in the playoffs.

 

[Finito]

Like the proverbial frog in slowly boiling water.

That’s a myth they will jump out

 

[Finito]

Kawhi and Penny are the two biggest What ifs I’ve ever seen in basketball

 

[Covert Rain]

Man....the injuries this playoffs has been unreal so far.

 

[Rivercard]

Man....the injuries this playoffs has been unreal so far.

For sure, the last few seasons too. Seems like it didn't used to be this bad. Is it a fluke or is something causing this trend?

 

[TJ]

Any word on Payne?

He’s in Payne

 

[TJ]

Kawhi and Penny are the two biggest What ifs I’ve ever seen in basketball

I think we kinda know that Kawhi is an elite player. Penny I agree with and I’ll also throw Grant Hill and T-Mac into the hat. These three are guys who could’ve legit been Top-20-25 players in the NBA but derailed by chronic and serious injuries

 

[Superbone]

That’s a myth they will jump out

I had no plans to try it. I still like the idea of it in spite of your attempt to squash it!

 

[Cheesebeef]

Well, we saw the Grizzlies yesterday pull off a W without Morant, Adams and Clarke. That's 3 of their top 7 and their MVP candidate. This team better not take tonight for granted.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

Well, we saw the Grizzlies yesterday pull off a W without Morant, Adams and Clarke. That's 3 of their top 7 and their MVP candidate. This team better not take tonight for granted.

If Suns win tonight, it will be a down to the wire struggle.