The Phoenix Suns were lethal during the First Round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs, they eliminated the Los Angeles Clipper 4-1, but things did not start well for the Suns where the Conference Semifinals.
Going back a few weeks before the start of the playoffs, the Suns posted a 45-37 regular season record being the 4th best record in the Western Conference.
But in the Conference Semifinals they couldn't do anything to avoid a loss in Game 1 of the series against the Denver Nuggets.
Why did Chris Paul leave Game 2?
Until now it is known that Paul went to the lockers when the Phoenix Suns were winning 59-55 over the Denver Nuggets, he was touching his groin while walking off the court, probably a groin injury according to NBA Insider Shams Charania.
In the event of a groin injury Paul could miss three to six weeks which translates to missing the rest of the series against the Nuggets. And if his team, the Phoenix Suns, make it to the NBA Finals it is slightly likely that he will be able to play in the Finals.
It is not yet confirmed that Paul will miss the entire series, but it's not the first time that he has been injured during the Playoffs in his career.
List of Chris Paul's injuries during his NBA Playoffs appearances:
- 2015: Hamstring Injury during the Conference Semifinals playing for the Los Angeles Clippers
- 2016: Broken Hand during the NBA Playoffs
- 2018: Hamstring Injury during the Conference Finals against the Rockets
