Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul left in the third quarter of Game 2 against the Denver Nuggets on Monday with left groin tightness and was ruled out for the rest of Monday.
Paul hurt himself after going for a jumper, but gave up the board and charge from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
chris paul grabbing his groin after this game here pic.twitter.com/pgytRjqaES
— Cage (@ridiculouscage) May 2, 2023
He grabbed the groin area with his left hand and pulled away after the Suns suffered a turnover and gave up a one-and-one on a transition basket.
Phoenix led Denver 59-56 after Michael Porter Jr. hit a free throw with 4:32 left in the third quarter.
Paul, who turns 38 on Saturday, recorded eight points and six assists with four rebounds in Game 2 of the series that Phoenix trailed, 1-0.
Entering Game 2, Paul averaged 13.2 points, 7.7 assists and 5.0 rebounds in the first six games of the playoff run while playing 37.5 minutes.
It was an extension of his role in the regular season. In 59 regular season games, Paul averaged 32.0 minutes a night.
The Suns had already returned to backup point guard Cam Payne as Paul’s backup with Damion Lee as the second guard off the bench in Game 2, a change from coach Monty Williams to Landry Shamet for the first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers. and Game 1 of the semifinals against Denver.
