Suns PG Chris Paul out Sunday vs. Knicks, to be re-evaluated next week

The Phoenix Suns announced Saturday that guard Chris Paul will miss Sunday’s contest against the New York Knicks with a heel injury and will be re-evaluated next week.

This will be the Point God’s sixth straight game ruled out due to the injury. Phoenix is now 2-3 in games Paul has missed. Paul is in danger of missing Tuesday’s contest against the Los Angeles Lakers as well.

Head coach Monty Williams told reporters Saturday the Suns are being quiet about the point guard’s injury as well as using an abundance of caution and taking “longer than people expected.”

Monty Williams on Chris Paul’s nagging sore heel: “I can’t really speak to that…it’s probably taking a bit longer than people thought it would because we haven’t shared, like, what it is, and it’s just how we operate.” pic.twitter.com/JHxGIACg2H

— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) November 19, 2022

Paul is averaging 9.5 points on 36.8% shooting, 4.5 rebounds, 9.4 assists and 1.7 steals in 30.2 minutes per game.

Backup guard Cam Payne has filled his role nicely, averaging 13.5 points per game (20 PPG in the starting role without Paul) on 43.6% shooting, 4.2 assists and 2.4 rebounds. He’s also averaging a career-high 23.6 minutes per game.

Landry Shamet will also be out for the sixth straight game due to the league’s concussion protocol.

With Paul and Cam Johnson out due to injuries as well as Payne moving into the starting lineup, the bench struggled Friday in Utah against the Jazz. The five bench players that recorded minutes combined for 21 of the Suns’ 133 points in the one-point loss.

Catch Knicks vs. Suns at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday on Arizona Sports 98.7, the Arizona Sports app and ArizonaSports.com.