Chris Paul health update: ‘I’m good’; Williams says Finals Game 4 was ‘blip’
Jul 16, 2021, 1:48 PM
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) shoots over Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) during the first half of Game 4 of basketball's NBA Finals Wednesday, July 14, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
(AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul went through practice Friday with wrap or athletic tape around his right index finger and left wrist, but brushed aside questions about his health being an issue after a subpar performance in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
“I’m good, I’m good,” he said when asked if a ligament problem in his hand had bothered him.
Paul first shed light on that injury after the Suns defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 6 of the last playoff series to cement a Finals bid. His right finger had sported bandages before then, and both injuries were under the microscope even more upon a down performance on Wednesday.
Paul said after the Game 4 defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks that injury was not an issue.
He played 37 minutes in Phoenix’s 109-103 loss and shot 5-of-13.
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The point guard throughout the game uncharacteristically fumbled the ball, and while he had seven assists, Paul posted five turnovers, including a backbreaking slip that led to a basket and four-point Bucks lead with 27 second left.
In the three prior games this series, Paul had shot 30-of-53 (57%) from the field.
With that in mind, Suns coach Monty Williams called the point guard’s Game 4 performance a “blip on the screen” and said it was not injury-related.
“Yeah, he’s fine. Other than having to deal with me, he’s good,” Williams said.
“You’re not going to see Chris have those kind of games frequently.”
Milwaukee had cranked up the heat on Paul since Game 1 of the Finals, hounding the 36-year-old with point guard Jrue Holiday.
Williams added that he’s struggled as a coach in finding ways to help Paul as Phoenix returns home to the newly named Footprint Center with the Finals series tied, 2-2.
Asked what he would do to bounce back from the poor game on Tuesday, Paul said it was as simple as just getting back on the court.
“Usually just playing. It’s something I don’t dwell on, even though it may be an anomaly for me, it just happens,” he said. “I’ve turned the ball over hella times before.
“Turning it over is not giving us enough shots at the basketball. I’ll figure it out.”
