NBA Playoffs 2021: Phoenix Suns star Chris Paul available for Game 3 vs. LA Clippers

Scott Rafferty

NBA Playoffs 2021: Phoenix Suns star Chris Paul available for Game 3 vs. LA Clippers image

Chris Paul is available for Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, the Phoenix Suns have announced.

According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, Paul will return to the starting lineup.

Paul missed the first two games of the series due to the league's health and safety protocols. The Suns were able to win Game 1 and Game 2 despite not having the 11-time All-Star, giving them a 2-0 lead over the LA Clippers as the series shifts to Los Angeles.

Cameron Payne started in place of Paul in both contests. Payne went for 11 points and nine assists in Game 1, followed by 29 points and nine assists in Game 2.

Through 10 games in these playoffs, Paul is averaging 15.7 points and 8.7 assists on .509/.444/.912 shooting splits. According to NBA.com, the Suns have outscored their opponent by 13.1 points per 100 possessions with him on the court compared to 4.9 points per 100 possessions with him on the bench.

Game 4 between the Suns and Clippers will take place in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 26 (ET). If needed, the series will return to Phoenix for Game 5 on Monday, June 28.

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Scott Rafferty

Scott Rafferty Photo

 

Scott Rafferty is an experienced NBA journalist who first started writing for The Sporting News in 2017. There are few things he appreciates more than a Nikola Jokic no-look pass, Klay Thompson heat check or Giannis Antetokounmpo eurostep. He's a member of the NBA Global team.