Nowadays, it seems like every game between Chris Paul's Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Clippers brings out some kind of drama. The first meeting between the two teams since the 2021 Western Conference Finals came on Monday night, and it did not disappoint.
Without Paul George and Nicolas Batum, the Clippers defeated the Suns, 111-95, as Phoenix played without Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton. Marcus Morris led six Clippers in double-figure scoring with 24 points and 11 rebounds on 10-of-16 shooting. Chris Paul struggled all night, finishing with just nine points, eight assists and three steals on 4-of-14 shooting. He scored all nine of his points in the second quarter, going scoreless in the first, third, and fourth quarters.
During the second quarter, Paul tried to draw a shooting foul while kicking his foot out. Ivica Zubac contested the shot well, and the official right in front of the play called an offensive foul on Paul.
Paul immediately sprung to his feet, making contact with the referee on the way up before walking away. It was just enough contact to make it seem unintentional, but also enough to draw a technical foul from the referee.
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After the game, Paul was asked about his incident with the official and if he got a reason for the technical foul.
“Did I get an explanation on why I got the tech? No, I didn’t get an explanation,” Chris Paul explained. I had an exchange with that official a few games ago about a rule about taking the ball out on one side of the court, you know when you get fouled if you can take it out. He tried to flex. I’ve been doing this 13 years, you know what I mean. They cleared up the rule with him, though, you know what I mean. They let him know what the rule was when he tried to tell me what the rule was. He must be salty about it. It’s all good.”
“I had an exchange with that official a few games ago about a rule about taking the ball out on one side of the court… He tried to flex. I’ve been doing this 13 years. They cleared up the rule with him though… He must be salty about it. It’s all good."
Chris Paul on his tech pic.twitter.com/1DDkhVIpg3
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) December 14, 2021
Despite the loss, Paul was happy with his team's performance considering Phoenix dressed 10 players. At the same time, the Clippers played without Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Nicolas Batum.
“We just competed,” Paul added. “Guys played hard. You know, we had 10 guys tonight. We fought, didn’t make shots, but you know we competed and that’s all you can ask for. I’m proud of Ish Wainwright and how he played, and you know, it is what it is.”
The loss dropped the Suns to 21-5 on the season, while the win improved the Clippers to 16-12. There are still three matchups between the Clippers and Suns remaining, two of which will be in Phoenix.
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