Can The Phoenix Suns Maintain The Top-Seed In The NBA?
Since January 1, the Phoenix Suns have lost just two games and they have been the most dominant team in the league all year long. Not only has Devin Booker stepped up to be one of the league’s best isolation scorers, but Chris Paul has continued to prove why he is the “Point God.”
Averaging a league-high 10.7 assists per game, Chris Paul has been the catalyst and initiator for the Suns’ offense all year long, but they will have to try and find ways to win games without him for the next month or so.
Perhaps the biggest news to come out of All-Star Weekend is the fact that Chris Paul is expected to miss 6-8 weeks with an avulsion fracture in his right thumb.
Currently 48-10, the Phoenix Suns hold the best record in the NBA and without Paul on the floor, their depth in the backcourt changes dramatically.
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The final day of the 2021-22 regular season is on April 10 and as a result, Chris Paul runs the risk of being out right up until the end of the season. His status for the start of the playoffs is definitely in question at this point and without Paul on the floor, the Suns may really struggle.
Devin Booker is not a primary facilitator and putting him in such a role will take him out from being the team’s “go-to” scoring option. Cam Payne will likely see his minutes increase in the backcourt, but he has not played since January 22 due to a wrist injury.
Elfrid Payton and newly acquired Aaron Holiday will likely step into larger roles off the bench for the Suns, especially if Payne is unable to go right after the All-Star break.
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This injury to Paul has cracked open the door in the Western Conference slightly in terms of the race for the 1-seed and it has also opened up the possibility of teams gaining confidence watching the Suns play.
It is likely that the Suns will be able to maintain their lead in the Western Conference standings, as they are 6.5 games up on the Warriors for the 1-seed, but they will definitely look vulnerable without Chris Paul on the floor.
