The Phoenix Suns have announced that their guard, Chris Paul, will not be playing in Game 5 against the Denver Nuggets in Denver due to a groin injury.
Suns star Chris Paul (groin) remains OUT for Game 5 of Suns-Nuggets, the team says. pic.twitter.com/l4lqlfnebc
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 8, 2023
Paul sustained the injury during Game 2, towards the end of the third quarter, and has not played since then, missing Games 3 and 4.
Although the Suns have had depth issues throughout the playoffs, they managed to bounce back into the series and tie it at 2-2, winning both games in Phoenix in Paul's absence.
Read More: Suns: Devin Booker on Chris Paul's Injury
Chris Paul is the Suns' Key Player
Paul's importance to the Suns cannot be understated. He has been a key player in their success over the last three seasons, helping them to reach the NBA Finals in 2021 and achieving a franchise-best 64 wins last season. Even though Paul is now 37 years old and may not be the same player he was, he is still an essential part of the team's playmaking and has been averaging 12.4 points and 7.4 assists during this postseason.
Moreover, Paul is also an excellent mid-range shooter, a skill that is particularly useful against the Nuggets' drop pick-and-roll coverage, which encourages mid-range shots.
Furthermore, during these playoffs, the Suns have had a positive point differential of 6.2 when Paul is on the court, indicating that the team performs better when he is playing.
In conclusion, Paul's absence in Game 5 against the Nuggets will be a significant loss for the Suns.
However, the team has demonstrated resilience in his absence. They will need to continue to play with the same intensity and determination to win Game 5 and advance to the next round of the playoffs.
Related Article: Nuggets: Nikola Jokic Reveals How to Stop Suns
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