Tim McMahonESPN staff writer1 minute to read
DENVER – Chris Paul of the Phoenix Suns was knocked out in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter due to tight left groin.
The club announced the injury early in the fourth quarter, adding that Paul would not be returning. Phoenix ended up losing, 97-87, falling into the hole 2-0.
Paul walked out of the game with 4:32 left in the third quarter and immediately headed to the locker room.
A couple of possessions earlier, Paul grabbed his left thigh after a fight to book Nuggets guard Kentavius Caldwell Pope. Paul slowly walked down the field after the Suns had the ball.
Speaking after the game, Phoenix coach Monty Williams said Paul could “absolutely” not push after sustaining the injury. The Suns will learn more about its severity on Tuesday.
Paul, who turns 38 this Saturday, has suffered appendix injuries multiple times during his Hall of Fame-confirmed career. He missed eight playoff games due to injury, most notably a hamstring injury that sidelined Paul for the last two games of the 2018 Western Conference Finals, when his team, the Houston Rockets, advanced 3-2 but lost to the eventual champion Golden State Warriors. .
Paul averaged 13.2 points and 7.7 assists per game this season going into Monday.
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