'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABlAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABwgQAAIBAwMFAQAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwAEBgUSIQcTIjJS4QEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQMRAAIBBAMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwAEERITYYGh/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwDGmR4po0HTzGr+wEiPKl7c3bye0jI2xlAHAUbfCpedJjBI7p4Pz+0pVrlVjk1UYGqH0qCabR2lh2c5PJKM9LIwHwV//9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Chris Paul has missed the past five games for the Phoenix Suns, but could be close to a return. There is a chance the future Hall of Famer will be in the lineup Thursday night as the team is set to take on the Brooklyn Nets.
Per the latest injury report, Chris Paul is listed as questionable due to right hip soreness. With the Suns being in the midst of a downward trend, getting him back would be a major positive.
Paul has been one of the top point guards in the league for some time now, but Father Time is starting to catch up with him. As he gets ready to turn 38, the wear and tear of a long NBA career might be taking its toll.
Currently, Chris Paul is averaging a career-low 13.1 points per game. Even worse, he is having his second-worst season efficiency-wise as he's shooting 42.5 from the field. However, the "Point God" is still one of the top facilitators in the league averaging over eight assists a night.
What is the Phoenix Suns' record when Chris Paul is out?
So far this season, Chris Paul has missed a total of 19 games. In those matchups, the Phoenix Suns have fared well. They have a 10-9 record when the All-Star point guard is out of the lineup.
Looking closer at their recent stretch, it shows how much they need Paul at the moment. Over their past five games, they have lost four of them. In that span, they suffered a 30-point defeat to the Denver Nuggets and a 29-point beatdown by the Memphis Grizzlies.
Part of why the Suns need Chris Paul back so desperatley is because they are without the services of their star player. Devin Booker has missed the past 11 games for Phoenix and there is no telling when he will be back. Before getting hurt, Booker was posting averages of 27.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists.
With Paul and Booker out of the lineup, the Suns have plummeted in the Western Conference standings. They are 1-9 in their past 10 games and it has resulted in them dropping to 12th in the standings.
Luckily for the Suns, their upcoming opponent is also in the midst of a rough skid. Since losing Kevin Durant to injury, the Brooklyn Nets have started to fizzle out. That being said, if Phoenix wants any shot at a win, they're going to need Paul on the floor.
