PHOENIX SUNS

Suns PG Chris Paul listed as probable, expected to play in Game 3

Jun 23, 2021, 1:05 PM | Updated: 5:51 pm

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul celebrates after forcing a turnover during the second half in Game 4 ...

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul celebrates after forcing a turnover during the second half in Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday, May 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Already up 2-0 against the Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Conference Finals, the Phoenix Suns could receive about as big of a boost as they can imagine for Game 3 on Thursday.

All-NBA Second Team point guard Chris Paul was upgraded on the Phoenix Suns injury report to probable.

For the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard was listed as out as he continues to recover from a right knee sprain.

Paul has been cleared through cardiac testing, the final step in COVID-19 health and safety protocols, Yahoo! Sports’ Chris Haynes reported Wednesday. Barring a setback, he is expected to return for Game 3.

Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro and ESPN had reported that Paul was expected to be cleared prior to the game at Staples Center.

Paul has not played since a conference semifinals Game 4 victory on June 13 that completed a sweep of the Denver Nuggets.

Whether he will be ready to go or on a minutes restriction having taken more than a week off from being with his team remains to be seen.

“We certainly would see where he’s at when that time comes, but that’s hard to make that judgment just because COVID is so different,” Suns coach Monty Williams said before the Suns’ 104-103 Game 2 victory in Phoenix.

“I’m sure if I tried to keep Chris out of the game, we’d have to square off and go toe-to-toe. So we’ll just make that assessment when the time comes.”

On June 16, it was revealed that Paul was placed in the league’s protocols. Paul tested positive for COVID-19 despite taking the Pfizer vaccine in February, according to Gambadoro.

That had the Suns optimistic for his return. Haynes reported after Phoenix’s Game 1 win over the Clippers on Sunday that Paul was asymptomatic, which could allow him to clear the health and safety protocols sooner.

By the NBA’s rules, players must either wait 10 days after testing positive and show no symptoms for at least 24 hours or — the more likely option for a vaccinated player — receive two back-to-back PCR tests at least 24 hours apart. There are also cardiac tests involved.

Although Paul reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated, such breakthrough infections are extremely rare in Arizona.

Only around 2,000 COVID-19 cases have been documented among the approximately 3 million people fully vaccinated in the state, the Arizona Department of Health Services told KTAR News 92.3 FM as of June 14.

Catch Game 3 of the Clippers-Suns Western Conference Finals series on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station at 6 p.m. on Thursday.

Phoenix Suns

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

16 hours ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

20 hours ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

24 hours ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: How the Suns lost to the Spurs before they stepped on the court

Burns & Gambo react to the Phoenix Suns stunning loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and try to figure out why it happened.

2 days ago

Suns PG Chris Paul listed as probable, expected to play in Game 3