PHOENIX SUNS

Suns G Chris Paul appears to reinjure shoulder in Game 5 vs. Lakers

Jun 1, 2021, 9:00 PM | Updated: 11:59 pm

Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns holds his shoulder in paint after a foul from Wesley Matthews (no...

Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns holds his shoulder in paint after a foul from Wesley Matthews (not pictured) of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half in Game Five of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on June 01, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns were blowing the Los Angeles Lakers out firmly, up 33 points midway through the third quarter when point guard Chris Paul appeared to reinjure his right shoulder.

Fighting Lakers guard Wesley Matthews on Tuesday in Game 5 of their first-round series, Paul got tangled and went down grabbing the shoulder he’d initially hurt in Game 1.

Paul got up and briefly had a word aimed at Lakers players before he was guided to the bench in pain.

The play was reviewed, a common foul was affirmed and Phoenix called a timeout to buy Paul more time just as he was getting up, ready to shoot his free throws.

Paul knocked down both free throws out of the delay in action before Suns head coach Monty Williams pulled him for Cam Payne.

Phoenix at that point held a 78-45 lead with 6:47 left in the third quarter.

Paul left the game with nine points and six assists in 23 minutes.

The Suns held on to beat the Lakers 115-85 to take a 3-2 lead in the opening-round series.

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