Suns’ Chris Paul Likely Out at Least One Week, per Report

Chris Paul reportedly will be evaluated in one week after suffering a groin injury in Game 2 of the Suns-Nuggets Western Conference semifinal series Monday night, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Paul suffered the injury with five minutes left in the third quarter of the game. While Phoenix held a 59-51 advantage, Paul attempted to box out Denver’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope for a rebound. Immediately after the play, Paul was grimacing in pain.

He managed to run up the floor but had to leave the game and head to the locker room. As Phoenix awaits Paul’s re-evaluation in seven days, Charania reported that the Suns are preparing to be without the 12-time All-Star through Game 5 of the second-round series.

Although the Suns have two other marquee stars in Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, Paul is the catalyst who facilitates the Suns’ offense.

The Nuggets defeated the Suns, 97-87, on Monday to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the series. When Paul was not on the court in Game 2, the Suns were outscored by 18 points.

Paul finished Monday’s game with eight points, six assists and five rebounds in 25 minutes.