Chris Paul available, starting for Suns in Game 4 vs. Lakers

Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul is available and starting for Sunday’s Game 4 against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Suns head coach Monty Williams said pregame that Paul was a game-time decision after being listed as questionable due to a right shoulder contusion.

Paul did not practice Saturday after Game 3 on Thursday marked the third straight of the series where Paul was affected by the injury that occurred in Game 1.

The veteran point guard started Games 2 and 3 and played through the right shoulder issue as his ability to pass, dribble and shoot became more compromised the longer the game went on. Williams played Paul’s backup Cam Payne to close out the last two games, with Paul’s struggles reaching a high point in the fourth quarters.

The stats are telling in terms of Paul’s status. He has only attempted 21 total shots over 86 minutes and just one three-pointer, a shot he made before the injury. Paul is also 3-of-6 from the foul line, an area where he led the league in efficiency at 93.4%.

After Game 3, Paul was not willing to comment on what was affecting him the most with the injury and said everyone is “a little banged up” in the playoffs.

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