Chris Paul will be ‘ready to go’ for Game 6 vs. Lakers, per Suns GM
Jun 2, 2021, 2:21 PM | Updated: 6:20 pm
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)
With only the best of vibes up 30 at home against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 on Tuesday, the Phoenix Suns and their fanbase had to collectively hold their breath again.
In the third quarter, point guard Chris Paul was around the basket next to the Lakers’ Wes Matthews. After some contact, Paul appeared to reaggravate his right shoulder injury.
Chris Paul 😔 pic.twitter.com/n6vDOq2GdV
— Basket-Infos (@Basket_Infos) June 2, 2021
Paul fell to the ground in serious pain and briefly shot up to complain before making his way to the bench and staying down for a few minutes. After making both of his free throws, he exited the game and did not return.
The veteran point guard got treatment in the locker room and his status would once again go back up in the air, as it was for the majority of the series after the initial injury was sustained in Game 1.
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Suns general manager James Jones had good news the day after the reaggravation.
“Chris is fine. We’ll be ready to go, he’ll be ready to go,” the GM told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo on Wednesday. “I think he’s shown over the course of his career and specifically recently that if he’s able to help his team he’ll be out there. We’ll be good and we’ll get ready for a battle.”
Asked a follow-up on if it can be classified as a setback or not, Jones said the following: “Until Chris isn’t out there, we always plan and expect him to be there.”
A second bit of clarification was proposed on if Paul is expected to play in Game 6, and Jones responded, “I don’t know how to say it any clearer than that. Unless Chris isn’t playing, he’s playing.”
Paul has slowly gotten better and less limited over the course of the series, finding the most success with his jump shot since the injury on Tuesday. While playing through limitations, Paul is averaging 9.4 points and 6.8 assists per game.
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