The Phoenix Suns are hosting the Denver Nuggets for Game 6 of the Western Conference second round which may prove to be the last game of the season for the team from Arizona. The Nuggets, who finished on top of the conference in the regular season, have a 3-2 lead and the Suns have to win tonight in order to force Game 7.
The Suns won both games in the series played at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, a fact that gives hope that they may take the series to the decisive game. Chris Paul has missed the last 3 games and Phoenix’s chances to stay alive in this series to a certain point depend on the question is Paul playing tonight.
Paul, who is third on the all-time assists list, suffered a groin injury during Game 2 of the series and has not been available to play since then. The Suns were down by 2-0 when they became aware that Paul will miss some time, but they managed to tie the series winning both games in Phoenix. When the series moved back to Denver, the Nuggets dominated Game 5 winning 118-102.
Photo by Icon Sport
What’s Paul’s Injury Status Ahead of Game 6 of the Series?
Chris Paul’s status has not changed in recent days and the point guard is listed as out for tonight’s game. The Suns will have to go in this must-win game without their floor general and everything will depend on Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. There are not many details of the severity of Paul’s injury and the Suns have not given a timetable for his return.
What does this mean for Chris Paul?
Paul has been in the league for 18 seasons by now and he is one of the best players who has never won the championship ring. Given his age and the fact that he has missed a total of 40 games in the last two regular seasons only, the window for him winning a championship is closing. The Suns theoretically still have a chance to win it all this season, but as things stand at the moment and with Paul being unable to help on the court, that scenario is pretty unlikely to happen.
Who will start in Paul’s place?
Cameron Payne is the one who started in the last three games for the Suns. He averaged 6.3 points and 4.7 assists in those three games which is not even close to the impact Chris Paul has on the Suns’ game.
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