Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul has the type of injury that should keep him sidelined for multiple weeks, however, the 12-time All-Star is reportedly doing all he can to possibly return in Game 6 of their series against the Denver Nuggets.
The Phoenix Suns semifinal series against the Denver Nuggets has been a fantastic showcase of three of the elite scoring talents in today’s NBA. Two-time league MVP Nikola Jokic has been just as dominant in the postseason as he was during the regular season, and the combo of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker have been dynamite — especially in Game 3 and 4.
However, for all the impressive play and array of talent thus far in the series, one notable omission from most of it has been future Hall-of-Famer Chris Paul. The NBA great came up lame midway through Game 2 with a groin strain and has been sidelined ever since.
Chris Paul stats (’22-’23): 13.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 8.9 APG, 1.5 SPG, 38% 3PT
Paul is expected to miss a third straight game when he sits out of the next matchup in the series on Tuesday night. However, a new report from The Athletic’s NBA insider Shams Charnia suggests he could be back by Game 6 for what is a pretty challenging injury to come back from.
“I think the window for him to return from that groin strain is Game 6 from what I’m told. But this is an injury that doesn’t heal in a matter of days but usually takes weeks at a time. If this were the regular season, this is a guy who would probably be out for multiple weeks. I was in Phoenix. I was told Chris Paul really wants to play, but that’s a soft tissue injury. By all accounts, he will be out Game 5 and we’ll see how he fares in Game 6 or 7.”
– Shams Charania
Game 6 of the Phoenix Suns versus Denver Nuggets series takes place on Thursday at 10 PM ET on ESPN. What makes a possible return all the more fascinating is that the team has actually played better in this series without the 38-year-old. Winning both games he missed against the Nuggets.