{"id":271612,"date":"2023-05-03T09:06:46","date_gmt":"2023-05-03T14:06:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/?p=271612"},"modified":"2023-05-03T15:24:39","modified_gmt":"2023-05-03T20:24:39","slug":"phoenix-suns-injury-groin-chris-paul-out-nuggets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/phoenix-suns-injury-groin-chris-paul-out-nuggets\/","title":{"rendered":"Phoenix Suns Lose Chris Paul to Injury for Next Three Playoff Games"},"content":{"rendered":"

Phoenix Suns veteran point guard Chris Paul sustained a groin injury in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Denver Nuggets, and he’s expected to miss multiple games.<\/p>\n

\"Chris
Denver Nuggets swingman Bruce Brown defends Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul before an injury in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals at Ball Arena. (Image: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Suns trail the Nuggets 2-0 in their playoff series after they dropped the first two games on the road in the thin air of Colorado. The series moves to Phoenix for the next two games. The Suns are fighting for their first win against the Nuggets and will do so without their floor general.<\/p>\n

It’s an unfortunate event, obviously,”<\/strong> said teammate Devin Booker. “All we can do is hope he has a speedy recovery. We’re going to hold it down while he’s out.”<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It was only a matter of time before the injury-prone Paul got dinged in the postseason. The veteran point guard, who turns 39 years old this weekend, struggled with injuries in the postseason during an illustrious career in which he’s never won a championship.<\/p>\n

In the 2018 Western Conference finals, Paul was a member of the Houston Rockets, and an untimely hamstring injury derailed their championship aspirations. Without Paul, the Rockets blew a 3-2 series lead against the Golden State Warriors and were denied a trip to the 2018 NBA Finals.<\/p>\n

Paul led them to the 2021 NBA Finals in his first season with the Suns. But he was slowed down by a wrist and finger injury. The Suns eventually lost to the Milwaukee Bucks.<\/p>\n

Injury Bug Finally Catches Paul this Year<\/h2>\n

Paul attempted to rebound a missed shot midway through the third quarter of Game 2, but landed awkwardly while a teammate snagged the loose ball.<\/p>\n

CP3 just looked like he was boxing out,”<\/strong> said head coach Monty Williams. “He just came up where he couldn’t push off of it or anything.”<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

A video replay showed Paul immediately grabbed his groin area and gingerly made his way back up the court. He exited the game on the next dead ball and didn’t return. In 25 minutes of action in Game 2, Paul tallied eight points, six assists, and five rebounds before his injury.<\/p>\n

In two losses against the Nuggets, Paul averaged 9.5 points, 4.4 assists, and 2.4 rebounds per game. Paul appeared in 59 games during the regular season, his lowest total since joining the Suns three seasons ago. He averaged 13.9 points, 6.9 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game, shooting 37.5% from 3-point range.<\/p>\n

An MRI revealed a strained left groin, and he’s out for at least the next two games. The Suns host the Nuggets in Phoenix on Friday and Sunday. If the Suns can avoid a sweep, then the Nuggets will host Game 5 next Tuesday in Denver.<\/p>\n

Paul is expected to undergo an evaluation next Monday to determine if he can play at all next week. But early reports indicate he’s out through Game 5.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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chris paul grabbing at his groin after this play here pic.twitter.com\/pgytRjqaES<\/a><\/p>\n

— Cage (@ridiculouscage) May 2, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n