Getty Image / Matthew Stockman
After the Phoenix Suns acquired Kevin Durant at the trade deadline, there was no arguing they had the most loaded starting five in the world. A team that was already a title threat instantly became possibly the NBA title favorite. That may not be the case, as a Chris Paul injury may set the Phoenix Suns back
A big four of Chris Paul, Deandre Ayton, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker were better than anyone else’s in the league. It took the team a while for all four to be healthy at the same time as Durant was battling an injury when he was traded from the Nets to the Phoenix Suns. But, They did not lose a game in the regular season that Kevin Durant played in.
The Phoenix Suns got off to a poor start in the playoffs when they lost game 1 of the Western Conference Playoffs first-round series to the Los Angeles Clippers. But, they ran off four straight wins, and looked like the team many picked to win it all.
Their 4-1 series win against the Clippers set up a matchup with the top-seeded Denver Nuggets. The Suns lost the first game on the road, and were desperately trying to avoid going down 2-0 in the series before heading back home to Phoenix for games 3 and 4.
And, for much of game 2 on Monday they were in control. But, disaster struck when future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul appeared to hurt himself on this play.
Chris Paul appears to possibly “strain” his left adductor (groin) on this play. Typical healing time is as follows
Tightness: Day to day
Grade I: 7-10 days
Grade II: 4-8 weeks
Grade III: See you next season
pic.twitter.com/CwY0XZ6Dq3— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) May 2, 2023
Yikes. Anyone who has had a pulled groin knows how much it hurts to do any movement at all. Chris Paul did not return to the game and the Phoenix Suns lost again, 97-87. They’re now down 2-0, though the old saying goes that a series has not started until a team wins a road game.
In the meantime, the Phoenix Suns are going to be without Chris Paul for at least three games at the most crucial time.
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul is expected to be re-evaluated in one week after MRI on his groin injury today, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Suns are preparing to be without Paul through Games 3-5, sources said.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 2, 2023
That is just terrible timing. The Phoenix Suns traded away all of their depth in the Kevin Durant deal, so it’s hard to say who will even take the bulk of Chris Paul’s minutes. Either Damion Lee or Cameron Payne will get the start, but those are not good options.
Game 3 is in Phoenix at 10PM ET on Friday.