Powell returns from 22-game absence in Clippers' win over Suns
Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell returned to the lineup for Wednesday's 113-109 victory over the Phoenix Suns after missing 22 games with a foot injury.
Powell played in three games for the Clippers, averaging 21 points before fracturing the medial sesamoid bone in his left foot in a February loss to the Dallas Mavericks. He made his first appearance in Wednesday's game with 2:32 remaining in the first quarter, coming off the bench to replace center Ivica Zubac. Powell scored 17 of his game-high 24 points in the first half.
The 28-year-old shooting guard averaged 18.7 points per contest in 40 games with the Portland Trail Blazers this season before being traded to Los Angeles along with Robert Covington.
Powell is the second Clipper to return from a significant injury in the last eight days. At the end of March, All-Star Paul George came back after recovering from a UCL tear in his elbow that sidelined him for three months. George finished with 19 points, nine rebounds, and four assists against Phoenix.
The Clippers are locked into the eighth seed in the Western Conference with a 40-40 record.
After getting out to a 26-22 advantage through one quarter, Los Angeles blew the game wide-open in the second by outscoring Phoenix 34-9. L.A. led by as many as 39 points. A 48-point fourth quarter from the Suns helped cut the deficit to four with just 10 seconds remaining, but the rally fell short.
Phoenix was without starters Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, and Jae Crowder. The quartet got the night off after the Suns set a new franchise record Tuesday with their 63rd regular-season victory.
Ishmail Wainright led Phoenix with a career-high 20 points, eight rebounds, and four assists in 25 minutes off the bench.