Chris Paul out for Suns vs. T-Wolves due to right heel injury
Nov 9, 2022, 12:48 PM | Updated: 12:50 pm
Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 7, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Suns 100-88. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul is listed as out for Wednesday’s matchup in Minnesota against the Timberwolves due to a sore right heel.
The severity of Paul’s injury was unknown.
Paul came out midway through the second quarter Monday in a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers after appearing to get hurt when was navigating around a screen on defense. He hobbled off his right foot a bit before checking out.
Paul’s replacement in the starting lineup will likely be his backup Cam Payne, who performed extremely well as a starter last season.
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Payne averaged 14.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 9.0 assists and 2.2 turnovers per game in 12 starts last year while shooting 42.1% from the field and 35.5% at 3-point range. His per-36 minutes numbers with assists and turnovers were right around Paul’s, an impressive level of production.
The biggest shift and change would be for a second unit that has been great through 10 games, thanks mainly to Payne. Two-guard Landry Shamet would probably shift into more of an on-ball role and his spot could be filled by wing Josh Okogie.
Two-way guard Duane Washington Jr. is a candidate for minutes as well. He was listed as out Monday for personal reasons but is no longer on the injury report.
Elsewhere on the Suns injury report, Cam Johnson (meniscus), Ish Wainright (personal reasons) and Jae Crowder (not with team) remain out.
Minnesota’s injury report is clean aside from G League assignments. Center Rudy Gobert is not on it after missing the last two games while in the health and safety protocols.
Tip-off against the Timberwolves is at 6 p.m. and you can hear it on Arizona Sports 98.7.
