Denver – sons point guard chris paul Ball fumbles off Arena court in Phoenix’s third quarter 97–87 loss As far as denver nuggets In Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night due to left groin tightness.
Paul’s status is uncertain as the series shifts to Phoenix with the Suns in an 0-2 hole against the Western Conference’s top seed. Game 3 is Friday night.
The Sons shooting guard said, “All we can do is wish him a speedy recovery.” devin booker, who had 35 points and six assists in the loss, said. “We’re going after him. When he’s out – or if he’s out – we’ll get hold of him and take him from there.”
Paul, who left the field shortly after the final buzzer and did not speak to the media, exited the game with 4:32 remaining in the third quarter and immediately headed to the locker room.
A few possessions ago, Paul clutched his left groin after battling to box out the Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Paul slowly walked up the court after Sun got possession of the ball.
Suns coach Montey Williams said, “He just came to where he couldn’t put it away or anything.” “We’re not sure what it is right now, but it looks like something in the groin area. We’ll find out more tomorrow.”
Paul, who turns 38 on Saturday, has dealt with playoff injuries several times during his unremarkable Hall of Fame career. He has missed a career-high eight playoff games due to injury, most notably a hamstring strain that sidelined Paul in the last two games of the 2018 Western Conference Finals, when his Houston Rockets led 3–2 but lost to the eventual champions Golden State Warriors,
Paul averaged 12.4 points and 7.4 assists after the season. He has the Suns’ best plus-minus in the playoffs, as Phoenix has outscored opponents by 39 points in seven games with Paul on the floor.
flax, which Kevin Durant (24 points, 10-27 shooting) For the first time in uniform, Paul led by three points when he exited. Denver shut out Phoenix with 13 remaining games. Cameron PayneThe Suns’ backup point guard scored two points on 1-of-7 shooting in 17 minutes, during which time Phoenix was outscored by 16 points.
If Paul is unable to play, Booker has the potential to take over some of the point guard responsibilities. However, Williams expressed concern about asking more from Booker, who is averaging 35.4 points and 6.6 assists in 42.9 minutes in the playoffs.
“I think that’s a lot,” Williams said. “He was probably more tired than he would admit, but with Chris off the floor, it puts a lot of pressure on him. So I have to find out.”
If necessary, Booker welcomes putting more on his shoulders.
“I mean, there’s a lot of playoffs,” Booker said. “A lot comes with it, so you just have to embrace it. Embrace the challenge, embrace the opportunity that we have right now, even down 0-2. Go back home, our home court.” Protect and go from there. But a lot is on all of our plates, and that’s what everyone’s doing throughout the playoffs right now.”
