Chris Paul injury update: Suns guard 'trying to' return in Game 6 vs. Nuggets

Chris Paul remains sidelined for the Suns, who are now on the brink of elimination after falling into a 3-2 series deficit. Phoenix won its first two games without Paul but was blown out in Game 5 in a game where the star guard's absence was evident.

The 38-year-old has been out since Game 2 of the Suns' matchup with the No. 1 seed Nuggets. In the third quarter, Paul suffered an apparent groin injury, which ultimately resulted in him being ruled out for the game.

Given the Suns' title aspirations, Paul's status for the remainder of the series — and postseason — looms large. What does this mean for Paul and his team? Here's what we know about his injury.

What is Chris Paul's injury?

With five minutes remaining in the third quarter of Game 2, Paul boxed out Denver's Kentavious Caldwell-Pope before going up for a rebound. As Paul attempted to leap for the rebound, he reached for his left groin and began to move gingerly.

Here is the play where Paul suffered the apparent injury.

Chris Paul went to the locker room; he was grabbing at his groin area after this playpic.twitter.com/zG8DHwGAHE

— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) May 2, 2023

The Suns would rule Paul out for the remainder of Game 2 with what they deemed as left groin tightness at the moment.

How long will Chris Paul be out?

The Suns announced that Paul has been diagnosed with a left groin strain and he is considered "day-to-day." According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, Paul would be re-evaluated in one week after receiving an MRI on his groin injury on May 2.

The Suns expected to be without Paul for Games 3 through 5, but Paul did go through a pregame workout ahead of Game 5. Following Phoenix's loss, Paul told reporters "We'll see. I'm trying to," when asked about the possibility of him playing in Game 6.

Asked Chris Paul about the possibility of him playing Game 6: “We’ll see. I’m trying to.”

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) May 10, 2023

However, when the injury report was released for Game 6, Paul was ruled out with a groin strain.

Suns guard Chris Paul is listed out for Game 6 vs. Nuggets due to his strained groin.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 11, 2023

He will need the Suns to force a Game 7 to have another opportunity to suit up.

Suns vs. Nuggets schedule

Here is the full schedule for the second-round series between the Suns and Nuggets, with games airing on TNT and ESPN.

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