Injuries and tough luck also play a huge role in an NBA team's success, especially come playoff time. Sadly, that's something every team and player just has to deal with, as terrible as it may seem. And the Phoenix Suns are no exception to that rule.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the hottest team in the Western Conference will be forced to play without one of its best players, as veteran guard Chris Paul has just entered the league's health and safety protocols.
The NBA has yet to reveal a timetable for Paul's isolation period, meaning he's in serious jeopardy of missing - at least - the first couple of games of the Western Conference Finals against the Utah Jazz or Los Angeles Clippers.
Shams Charania: Phoenix Suns Star Chris Paul Will Be Out Indefinitely
"Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul has entered the NBA's health and safety protocols and is sidelined for an indefinite period of time, sources tell The Athletic. Paul's status is up in the air for the start of the Western Conference finals, according to sources. Paul’s Suns will face the winner of the Jazz-Clippers series, which is tied 2-2," read the report.
"Depending on the medical circumstance, an isolation period could be shorter for a vaccinated individual. The NBA has yet to release the schedule for the conference finals, a potential Game 7 in the Jazz-Clippers conference semifinals would be played Sunday," Charania concluded.
Chris Paul has been one of the most impactful players in the NBA this season, helping the Suns orchestrate a notorious turnaround and finish with the second-best record in the Association.
Hopefully, he'll clear quarantine right in time for the upcoming series. The Suns are a deep team but missing a player as important as Chris Paul at this stage in the season could put a sudden end to their outstanding campaign.
