Chris Paul Leaves Game 2 with Groin Injury – Uncertain for Game 3 as Suns Fall to 0-2 Against Nuggets

Phoenix Suns’ point guard Chris Paul left the court in the third quarter of Monday night’s 97-87 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series due to left groin tightness. Paul’s status for Game 3 is uncertain as the Suns are down 0-2 against the top-seeded Nuggets.

Paul, who did not speak to the media, left immediately after the final buzzer and headed to the locker room. The Suns’ backup point guard Cameron Payne scored two points in 17 minutes, during which Phoenix was outscored by 16 points.

If Paul is unable to play, shooting guard Devin Booker will likely handle some of the point guard responsibilities, although coach Monty Williams expressed concern about asking too much of Booker, who has averaged 35.4 points and 6.6 assists in 42.9 minutes in the playoffs.

The Suns are hoping for a speedy recovery for Paul, who has dealt with playoff injuries throughout his Hall of Fame career. If necessary, Booker welcomed the opportunity to put more on his shoulders, saying that “a lot is on all of our plates” in the playoffs.