As they continue to dominate the NBA season, the Phoenix Suns may have encountered a setback ahead of the All-Star break.
In the third quarter win over the Rockets on Wednesday, Suns All-Star guard Chris Paul suffered an apparent right-hand injury in a bizarre sequence that resulted in his ejection.
The full sequence of Chris Paul's ejection 👇 pic.twitter.com/jv5jc8kyCV
— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) February 17, 2022
Here's what we know about Paul's injury so far.
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What is Chris Paul's injury?
As the Suns were looking to mount a second-half comeback against the Rockets, Paul apparently injured his right hand after passing the ball and making contact with the arm of Rockets forward Jae'Sean Tate on the follow-through.
Here's a replay of Chris Paul injuring right hand in #Suns win over #Rockets via @NBATV pic.twitter.com/vyvomsotOa
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 17, 2022
In the ejection sequence, Paul is first seen holding his thumb before holding his right wrist while pleading with officials.
Because Paul was ejected, it is unclear whether or not the injury was severe enough to keep him from returning to the court. While ruled a general hand injury, Suns head coach Monty Williams did not have an update on Paul after the game.
Monty Williams said he has no update on Chris Paul's hand
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) February 17, 2022
According to Yahoo's Chris Haynes, Paul had an MRI on his hand on Thursday morning (Feb. 17) to determine the severity.
Phoenix Suns star Chris Paul will undergo an MRI tomorrow morning on his right hand he injured tonight against Houston, league sources tell @YahooSports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 17, 2022
How long will Chris Paul be out with injury?
Just prior to tip-off of the 2022 NBA All-Star Game, TNT's Allie LaForce broke the news that Paul's MRI revealed a right thumb avulsion fracture and will be re-evaluated in 6-to-8 weeks.
For what it's worth – the regular season ends seven weeks from All-Star Sunday.
Phoenix Suns say Chris Paul suffered a right thumb avulsion fracture and will be re-evaluated in six to eight weeks.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 21, 2022
Paul has been the leader of a Suns team that owns an NBA-best 48-10 record heading into All-Star weekend. The veteran guard is averaging 14.9 points and a league-leading 10.7 assists per game.
Will Chris Paul play in the NBA All-Star Game?
During LaForce's report, she added that Paul will play a few "token minutes" in the All-Star Game despite the injury.
He is looking to record an "honorary assist or two" and both teams are fully aware of Paul's injury.
During her report, @ALaForce also said that Paul is going to play in tonight's game, and may try to get an "honorary assist" or two. He was wearing a cast/wrap on his right hand yesterday, though he didn't have it on during the 75th anniversary photos earlier. https://t.co/iIhHEbdKqO
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) February 21, 2022
