Concerns arise for the Phoenix Suns after most recent Chris Paul injury

The Phoenix Suns said that Chris Paul will be sidelined for at least a week due to a groin strain injury in the Western Conference Semifinals.

Chris Paul in a file photo, Image credit: Twitter
By Niranjan Shivalkar | May 3, 2023 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Chris Paul, the point guard for the Phoenix Suns, may not be able to play again anytime soon after suffering a groin injury in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Monday night in Denver. In a 97-87 loss to the Nuggets on Monday night, Phoenix dropped behind 2-0 in the best-of-seven series and Paul was forced to leave the game as a result of a left groin injury. A lengthy break in the series schedule is good news for the Suns. Paul’s 38th birthday is on Friday, the day of Game 3 in Phoenix. 

The Phoenix Suns said on Tuesday that Chris Paul will be sidelined at least a week due to a groin strain. Yardbarker’s Sean Keane expressed “Paul is an all-time great who’s made it as far as the NBA Conference Finals only once in his 18-year career. And it’s mostly his body that’s to blame.” 

‘We’re not quite sure what it is right now’

If the Phoenix Suns don’t have their starting point guard for Game 3, Cameron Payne will most likely replace Paul, with Devin Booker taking on additional point guard responsibilities. According to Williams, the concern for Phoenix stemmed from the fact that Paul wasn’t able to push off his left leg at all, which limited casual moves and all but eliminated any rapid burst with the ball. “We’re not quite sure what it is right now,” exclaimed Suns head coach Monty Williams.

The Incident

With 4:32 remaining in the third quarter, the 12-time All-Star departed the game after tussling with Denver’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope while attempting to position himself for a rebound. When he came down, Paul quickly grabbed at his groin. In 25 minutes, Paul, who is playing in his 18th NBA season, finished the game with eight points, six assists, and five rebounds. Paul averaged 13.6 points, 8.2 assists, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.2 steals in Phoenix’s five-game playoff series victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Throughout the regular season, he played in 59 games and averaged 13.9 points, 8.9 assists, and 4.3 rebounds. 

Read more: Dwyane Wade hears a snide comment about his transgender kid after the Heat-Knicks playoff game.

In the past, injuries have prevented Paul from performing at his best during the playoffs. He had a right hamstring injury while playing for the Houston Rockets against the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals in 2018, and wrist and finger problems hindered him when playing for the Suns in the NBA Finals in 2021 against the Milwaukee Bucks.