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Chris Paul exited Game 2 of the Phoenix Suns versus Denver Nuggets series with 4:32 left in the third quarter. "CP3" injured his left groin while battling for a rebound against Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Paul played 25 minutes and had eight points, six assists and five rebounds. The Phoenix Suns had a 59-55 lead when the "Point God" was led to the locker room.
Losing Paul will hurt the Suns. He is their best playmaker and the leader of the team. "CP3" may be a little old now, but his absence will be a big factor in Game 2 and the series.
Phoenix went back-and-forth against Denver for most of the game. The Suns scored 31 points in the third quarter to keep within striking distance of their opponents before Paul's injury.
Monty Williams' team couldn't overcome the absence of "CP3" in the fourth quarter.The Phoenix Suns bled for points, scoring just 14 while giving up 27 to the Denver Nuggets. They also committed four crucial turnovers that were just too much to get through.
Phoenix Suns fans will not be happy with this update, per Tim McMahon:
"Chris Paul (left groin tightness) will not return, per Suns."
The Phoenix Suns have informed the media that Paul will be re-evaluated in a week. He is expected to miss Games 3-5.
The Suns are desperate to cut the 0-2 hole they are in now. Things got just significantly more difficult without one of the NBA's best playmakers in their lineup starting Game 3.
Chris Paul has a long history of postseason injuries
The groin injury will be one of several Chris Paul has had in the playoffs.
In 2015, Paul and the third-seeded LA Clippers held a 3-1 lead against James Harden's Houston Rockets. "CP3" suffered a hamstring strain during Game 5. He couldn't finish the game, which helped the Rockets to a 124-103 victory.
The injury caused Paul to miss Games 6 and 7, allowing the Rockets to a come-from-behind series win.
The following year, Chris Paul's LA Clippers matched up against Damian Lillard's Portland Trail Blazers. LA was in control of Game 4 when "CP3" fractured his right hand. The Clippers collapsed down the stretch without him.
With the series now tied at 2-2 and without Paul, the Blazers went on to win the next two games.
Easily the most high-profile of Paul's injuries happened in 2018 when the Houston Rockets had the Golden State Warriors on the ropes. The "Point God" injured his hamstring in the last few seconds of Game 5.
Despite Paul's injury, the Rockets held on to win 98-94 and grab a crucial 3-2 series lead. He would not play in the last two games. Without him, the Warriors dominated Houston and eventually became champions that season.
Chris Paul's groin injury against the Denver Nuggets couldn't have come at a more unfortunate time. Phoenix is down 0-2 in the series and will have to bounce back without the "Point God" manning the offense.
