Paul George wrapped up his brilliant Monday night, scoring 41 points to keep the Los Angeles Clippers' season alive by beating the Phoenix Suns 116-102 in Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference finals.

The series moves back to Los Angeles with the Suns holding a 3-2 advantage. Game 6 is Wednesday.

The short-handed Clippers were playing without two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and center Ivica Zubac, who missed his first game of the season with an MCL sprain in his right knee. They've already fought through two grueling series wins in these playoffs, coming back from 2-0 deficits to beat both the Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz.

Now they're trying to claw back against the Suns. Game 5 was a good start.

George was fantastic after a tough shooting night in Game 4, pouring in 20 points in the third quarter. He finished 15 of 20 from the field, including 3 of 6 from 3-point range and added 13 rebounds and six assists.

"If they were going to finish this series, they were going to have to work for it," George said. "That's just the mentality we had. We weren't going to back down. We weren't going to throw in the towel. The fact of the matter is they've got to beat us."

Marcus Morris Sr., who played for Phoenix earlier in his career, added 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting.

The Suns trailed by as many as 15 points during the first half but took their first advantage in the third when Chris Paul knocked down a 16-foot jumper for a 62-61 lead. The Clippers responded with the next 10 points and then started sinking 3-pointers. George hit back-to-back 3s and Patrick Beverley added one to push LA ahead 82-70, gesturing to the Suns crowd as he jogged back down the court.

It was the common theme of the night: Every time the Suns got some momentum, the Clippers were there to squash it in a hurry.

The Clippers took a 91-78 lead into the fourth. The Suns pulled within 98-94 with less than seven minutes left but LA responded with a 10-2 run and pulled away for the win.

Devin Booker led the Suns with 31 points. Paul - who is trying to go to the NBA Finals for the first time in his 16-year career - added 22 points and eight assists. Deandre Ayton had 10 points and 11 rebounds.

"We've got to be better," Paul said. "They came out and they were the aggressors. They looked like us in Game 4. They hit us, they were too comfortable and we've got to be better."

The Suns are trying to make their first NBA Finals since 1993. The Clippers have never been this far in the postseason.