Suns’ Chris Paul Expected to Miss At Least One Week

The Suns are in a 2-0 series hole vs. the Nuggets and are now without their starting point guard.

Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, veteran Chris Paul will miss at least a week after an MRI revealed a groin injury on Tuesday. The next two games of the series are in Phoenix, and Paul is expected to miss both.

In fact, Paul could also miss Game 5, should the Suns push the series that far without him.

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

Paul exited the Suns’ Game 2 loss in the third quarter, with what was described as left groin tightness. He appeared to suffer the injury while positioning himself for a rebound. 

Backup Cameron Payne is likely to start in place of Paul.

“We’re at the crib,” Payne said of the games ahead, via Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. “We’re at home. We’re in the Valley. That’s it.”

Paul, who turns 38 on May 6, averaged 13.9 points and 8.9 assists in 59 regular-season games. He maintained those averages in the Suns’ first-round series win over the Clippers.