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In a piece of breaking news that shocked the NBA world, Chris Paul of the Phoenix Suns has entered the NBA's COVID-19 related health and safety protocols.
He is currently sidelined for the foreseeable future, and there is little hope that he will appear in the Western Conference Finals.
Chris Paul, at age 36, is leading his team to a deep NBA playoff run. He isn't one of those old stars that join a championship team and play minimal minutes.
In fact, he is one of the main reasons the Phoenix Suns are in the 2021 Western Conference Finals. This is a major blow to the team, and their chances of winning have depleted severely.
NBA News: Chris Paul ruled out for WCF opener; where do the Phoenix Suns go from here?
NBA players can be placed into health and safety protocols due to a positive COVID-19 test or exposure to someone who tested positive. It is unclear which bracket Chris Paul currently falls into.
According to league regulations, any player who tests positive, even if asymptomatic, will not be allowed to exercise for a minimum of 10 days and must be monitored in individual workouts for an additional two days.
That timeline undoubtedly rules him out for the conference finals opening. The Phoenix Suns play the winner of the Utah Jazz/LA Clippers series. However, depending on his individual medical situation, Paul might be back sooner if he is vaccinated.
The NBA is yet to release a schedule for the Conference Finals, but if there is a Game 7 between the Clippers and Jazz in the conference semis, it will be on Sunday, June 20.
There is simply no way around a Chris Paul absence from the roster. He is the team's leader and sole playmaker. Paul is leading the Phoenix Suns in assists with 8.7 dimes per game in these playoffs.
Clearly, he is not someone you can replace in the lineup. He finished fifth in MVP voting this season and is one of the highest IQ players in the game.
Chris Paul, along with Devin Booker, runs the league's most sophisticated pick-and-roll offense, which is perplexing defenders. The two star guards combined for a whopping 71 points in the closeout Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets, with Paul chipping in 37 points.
Devin Booker will have to take on the playmaking responsibilities of the Phoenix Suns. Paul might be sidelined for at least two games, and we can expect to see Cameron Payne start as the point guard instead.
Paul's absence also ensures more touches for players like Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, and Deandre Ayton, and they have to step up and make those shots.
The Phoenix Suns faced the LA Lakers in the first round without Chris Paul on the floor for much of the series. He injured his shoulder and was often on a minutes restriction, and had to watch his team from the sidelines.
However, with the isolation protocols, Chris Paul will not even be present on the bench to guide his team during timeouts. As a result, the Phoenix Suns now face a major issue going into the Conference Finals.
Their sweep of Denver ensured rest time for the players and gives Paul a little cushion if he is cleared to return anytime soon.
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