"Ahh s**t here we go again"- Phoenix Suns fans are dismayed as Chris Paul suffers yet another injury in the playoffs in Game 2
The injury bug has bitten Chris Paul yet again in the playoffs. "CP3" exited in the third quarter of Game 2 between the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets due to a left groin injury.
Paul suffered the injury while battling for a rebound against Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The veteran point guard's status for Game 3 is yet to be ascertained.
Fans promptly commented following Paul's latest injury:
"Ahh s**t here we go again…"
@BleacherReport Ahh shit here we go again…
@BleacherReport this man will never win a ring and im here for it
@BleacherReport Booker if he loses this time without Chris Paul. https://t.co/E6oTkM0VYB
@BleacherReport Phoenix Suns fans rn https://t.co/cAMyfPVBKF
@BleacherReport Karma for all his dirty plays over the years
@BleacherReport Mikal and Cam right now: https://t.co/mBEyljTze4
@BleacherReport annual fake cp3 injury once he knows he’s losing the series
@BleacherReport Some people aren’t built for the postseason. He’s one of them.
@BleacherReport Forget about auto insurance, at this rate CP3 oughta be sponsored by a health insurance company!
@BleacherReport CP0 IS SOFT💯😭
Chris Paul played 25 minutes and exited with eight points, six assists and five rebounds. Paul did not commit a single error during his stint in Game 2.
The future Hall of Famer may have slowed down a bit but he remains one of the NBA's elite playmakers. Phoenix will have a big adjustment to make if "CP3" can't orchestrate for his team.
Chris Paul is averaging a team-best 7.4 dimes in the playoffs this year. What is not shown on the stat sheet is his poise and leadership.
The Nuggets sensed the Phoenix Suns may not be able to adjust quickly in Paul's absence and increased their defensive pressure in the fourth quarter. Devin Booker seemed fatigued scoring for his team. It didn't look like he could also efficiently quarterback his team.
Denver left the Suns in the dust in the final period by outscoring them 27-14. Phoenix committed four turnovers in the said period, with Chris Paul getting treatment in the locker room.
The Phoenix Suns will rely on Devin Booker to handle playmaking duties without Chris Paul
Devin Booker is the NBA's leading scorer in the playoffs. He is averaging 35.5 points on 59.1% shooting, including 45.2% from behind the arc.
The Phoenix Suns will now add more to Booker's plate with Chris Paul out with a left groin injury. Monty Williams will need his team's scoring machine to become a better playmaker and facilitator.
In 30 games without the "Point God," Williams has relied more and more on Booker to facilitate for the Suns. Booker is averaging 29.3 points, 6.8 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals during that stretch.
The Phoenix Suns, however, can't completely rely on Devin Booker to do Chris Paul's main job. Everybody has to contribute as the shooting guard's scoring role can't be neglected.
In their Game 2 loss against the Denver Nuggets, Booker and everyone on the team failed to step up. Without Paul barking instructions, the Suns' offense often stalled. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker regularly ended up playing my turn-your turn basketball sans "CP3."
After putting up 31 points in the third quarter, the Suns coughed up just 14 in the pivotal period. Denver's defense ramped up its intensity, but Phoenix also made a few unforced errors in the final quarter.
Monty Williams will have enough time to get his team ready if Paul is hampered or is unavailable for Game 3.
Also read: "KD getting swept in back to back postseasons"- Denver Nuggets fans troll Kevin Durant and co as they fall in Game 2