Chris Paul (Phoenix) will be away for the time being. If Phoenix doesn’t drag the series into the long run, his season could be over.
Shams Charania, a reporter for the local press ‘The Athletic’, said on the 3rd (Korean time), “Paul decided to have a re-examination for a groin injury in a week. The Phoenix Suns are preparing to play Games 3-5 without Paul.”
Paul was substituted due to an injury in Game 2 of the 2023 NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets. He suffered a groin injury while competing for a rebound with Kentavious Caldwell Pope midway through the third quarter, and has not returned to the court since. Phoenix also lost 87-97, remaining 2 losses in the series.
Back at home, Phoenix will try to fight back, but they’re likely to play at least three games without a pole. If Denver sweeps the series and advances to the Western Conference Finals, it will finish the season without returning to Polo. ㅋㅋㅋ벳
Paul was averaging 13.2 points, 5 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 2 steals in 6 playoff games. Phoenix is also considering using Devin Booker as a point guard while Paul is away.
Phoenix coach Monty Williams said, “As Booker is under a lot of physical pressure, the opponent will also put more pressure on him. Booker has to overcome this, and I have to find a way for him to overcome it too.”
Phoenix and Paul each have no championship experience. Phoenix recruited Kevin Durant through a big deal at the end of the 2022-2023 season and raised the number of wins, but faced a big crisis before reaching the Western Conference Finals. Will Phoenix and Paul not be able to shake off their resentment this season?