National Basketball Association

Can Suns overcome depth issues against Clippers?

Published Apr. 19, 2023 5:54 p.m. ET

The Phoenix Suns and LA Clippers are tied at one game apiece in their first-round playoff matchup — however, its looked to be a struggle for the Suns so far.

Despite boasting a starting lineup with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton, a lot had to go right for Phoenix to power past the Paul George-less Clippers at home to earn their first win of the series, after losing Game 1 by five.

The headliners are showing up for both squads, but according to Colin Cowherd, the difference is that one team's supporting cast is showing substantially more life.

"When I watch the Clippers, with all that depth, against the Suns without much of a bench, my takeaway is Phoenix needs another guy," said Cowherd. "They feel like they are a guy short."

In Game 1, the LAC bench outscored the Suns' bench 34-10. Game 2 featured much of the same, win the LA bench winning 30-13.

"If you gave [Phoenix] the Clippers' Norman Powell or a Terance Mann as just a reserve, things would feel different," Cowherd said. "But they gave away three players — all of them important players — to get Kevin Durant."

Phoenix shipped Jae Crowder, Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson — two starters and a key reserve — to Brooklyn in exchange for Durant back on Feb. 9.

"Cam Johnson was averaging 14 points per game," Cowherd pointed out. "And that's about what they feel they need — a little margin of error. Johnson had a huge night the other night against Philadelphia."

As members of the Suns, Johnson and Bridges averaged a combined 31.1 points per game. The Suns are also without their backup point guard, Cameron Payne, who is recovering from a back injury. Payne averages 10.3 points off the bench.

"Maybe when Cameron Payne comes back, that's the guy," Cowherd said. "Maybe I'm overreacting. I just feel like there's no margin for error."