The Phoenix Suns were able to succeed in Games 3 and 4 back at home despite not having point guard Chris Paul in the lineup. The Suns were able to even their Western Conference semifinal series with the Denver Nuggets up at 2-2 despite the NBA star being sidelined with a groin injury.
Paul injured his groin in the third quarter of Game 2. When he exited, Phoenix held the lead. But, without him in the fold, their offense went stagnant and they were unable to hold onto the lead, falling down 2-0 in the series.
The Suns will again be tested in Game 5 as the series returns to Denver. Paul has again been ruled out for tonight’s game, leaving a huge void in their lineup.
Cameron Payne has stepped into the starting five in his place, but he hasn’t had the same impact that he normally does when Paul is sidelined. That puts a lot more on the shoulders of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns & Denver Nuggets Updates
Virtually the entire Phoenix offense runs through them, as Landry Shamet’s 19-point outburst in Game 4 is the only instance of a player, not Booker or Durant scoring in double-figures without Paul on the court.
Deandre Ayton scored in double-figures in Games 1 and 2, and Paul was able to reach that plateau in Game 1. That just goes to show how much of an onus is on Booker and Durant to not only carry the playmaking load without Paul but to put the ball in the basket as well.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns & Denver Nuggets Updates
That duo has proven more than capable of carrying a team. They both scored 36 points in the Game 4 victory, while Booker poured in 47 in Game 3, with Durant adding 39 of his own. Despite garnering all of the attention in Denver’s game plans, the Nuggets haven’t found a way to slow them down.
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