Los Angeles: Disappointing Result for Clippers in Game One

🏀Clippers: Yesterday, less than 48 hours after dispatching the Utah Jazz in an emotional Game 6, the Clippers faltered at the finish of Game 1 in the Western Conference finals. Mann of the hour Terance Mann cut the Clips’ deficit to two with 22 seconds remaining, but the Phoenix Suns rallied, taking it 120–114.

• With stars Kawhi Leonard (sprained knee) and Clipper-turned-Sun Chris Paul (health and safety protocols) out, it was Paul George dueling Phoenix’s Devin Booker. George scored 34 points, but Booker couldn’t be tamed with a massive 40-point triple-double.

• The Clips look to even the series tomorrow at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Suns in four? Nah.

🏀Sparks: The Sparks couldn’t close out either, falling to the NY Liberty 76–73 in yesterday’s celebration of the WNBA’s inaugural game. LA was denied the opportunity to win not just once, but twice, by Liberty Rebecca Allen in the waning seconds. Sigh.

⚾️MLB: Angel two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani keeps showing out. He announced Friday that he will participate in the Home Run Derby on July 12th...before promptly smashing two homers that night, another on Saturday and then another yesterday to tie for the MLB home run lead with 23. Somethin’ special.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers almost embarrassed themselves, but escaped with a series sweep, handing the Arizona Diamondbacks their 17th straight loss yesterday. Phew.