Chris Paul scratched for Suns in preseason finale vs. Lakers

Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul was scratched from the team’s preseason finale against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday due to soreness in his right ankle.

Head coach Monty Williams originally said pregame that Paul would start, but it was announced roughly 45 minutes before tip-off that Paul was out.

Paul missed the Suns’ first preseason game with the same injury listing before playing in the Suns’ second game at Utah. That was after being on the injury report as questionable. He played on Wednesday against the Lakers, clocking 24 minutes.

Jevon Carter will take Paul’s place in the starting lineup alongside Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder and Deandre Ayton.

The Suns have had some slight issues with injuries in the preseason, which Williams reiterated throughout that it was more of soreness and making sure nothing lingers into the regular season.

Cam Johnson missed two games while Dario Saric will miss all four due to soreness in his right quad. Cam Payne also missed two, while he and Johnson will play Friday. Crowder was out for the first two after attending to some personal matters and being a late arrival to training camp.

Williams said pregame that Saric is day-to-day and did practice on Thursday.

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