Suns’ Chris Paul misses practice Saturday to rest injured shoulder
May 29, 2021, 2:45 PM | Updated: 6:41 pm
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 25: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of Game Two of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on May 25, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul (right shoulder) did not participate in practice on Saturday ahead of Game 4, head coach Monty Williams said in a Zoom press conference.
“He didn’t do anything today,” Williams said. “We gave him some rest today with the hopes that he’ll feel better tomorrow, and we’ll just see how it goes when he wakes up.”
Paul injured his shoulder in the first half of the first game of the playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers and has not played like his normal self since.
Classified as a right shoulder contusion and a stinger, Paul appears to be lacking strength in the injured arm. His passes have not been as strong or crisp as usual, and his shooting form is altered at times to get more power.
“We’re just waiting for that [soreness] to go away,” Williams said. “There’s really nothing else we can do.”
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Over three games, he is averaging 6.7 points, 6.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds while shooting just 38.1% from the floor. He has not attempted a 3-point shot in either of the last two games.
The coach said no timeline has been made due to the nature of the injury and the hit that the shoulder took.
“What they told me is he’s ready to play and that’s all I can go off of,” Williams said.
Game 4 is scheduled to tip off at Staples Center on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. The Suns trail the series 2-1.
Listen to the action at 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station and watch the action on ABC.
