Chris Paul injury update: What happened to the Phoenix Suns star that caused him to leave Miami Heat game midway?
Chris Paul's night against the Miami Heat ended after only 12 minutes. The Phoenix Suns' starting point guard asked head coach Monty Williams to be taken out in the second quarter.
The team promptly sent an update regarding the status of the 12x All-Star:
"INJURY UPDATE: Chris Paul (right hip soreness) will not return tonight."
INJURY UPDATE: Chris Paul (right hip soreness) will not return tonight.
There was no play that specifically indicated when he injured his hip. He left the game with five points, an assist and a steal.
The Suns are already without Devin Booker due to a left groin strain and will now have Chris Paul sidelined.
Miami was also without reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year winner, Tyler Herro, but did just enough to win 104-96 on the road. The Suns were led by Deandre Ayton’s 23 points and 14 rebounds, while Torrey Craig and Mikal Bridges had 17 and 15 points, respectively.
Phoenix kept the game close even without Chris Paul. They, however, couldn’t defend their home court advantage as they sorely missed his leadership, playmaking and scoring.
After the game, Suns head coach Monty Williams had this to say about his decision to remove the NBA's reigning assists champion:
“I just saw him laboring for a second, and when he wouldn’t look at me, I kinda knew something was up."
Monty Williams on Chris Paul's injury: “I just saw him laboring for a second, and when he wouldn’t look at me, I kinda knew something was up." Once Paul did look at him, he knew he had to pull him
Without Paul, Cameron Payne and Devin Booker, the Suns were forced to play Duane Washington Jr. The rookie saw action for 25 minutes and ended the game with 13 points and 11 assists. However, he was just 5-18 from the field, including 1-6 from the three-point line.
Washington Jr. is expected to log more minutes as the Suns wait for updates on Chris Paul’s status and the comeback of Payne and Booker.
The Phoenix Suns could slide further down the standings without Chris Paul and Devin Booker
Including tonight’s loss to the Miami Heat, the Phoenix Suns are only 2-8 in their last 10 games. A month ago, they had the best record in the NBA. They have now dropped to ninth in the tightly-contested Western Conference with a 20-20 win-loss slate.
Monty Williams encapsulated after their defeat to the Heat that it was deflating to compete minus their court general. They could be facing more games without "CP3."
Monty Williams said he liked the Suns' fight after how deflating it was for Chris Paul to go down in the first half. Obviously couldn't make shots, but they were together and talking in the huddle to try and fight their way back
Phoenix is 9-5 this season when Paul is sidelined.
Compounding the Suns' misery is the left groin strain of Devin Booker. "Book" will be ruled out for at least a month. If things go as expected, he will be back in action at the end of this month.
Depending on how "CP3's" injury turns out, Phoenix will be facing an uphill battle to keep within striking distance of a play-in spot. The season is still long, but they could still slide down the standings without their two best players.