Since suffering a groin injury in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals, Suns guard Chris Paul has been sidelined for his team's series with the Nuggets.
Paul, who recently turned 38, has had an unlucky brush with injuries in the postseason. Last year, Paul is said to have been playing through a quad injury, while he battled a shoulder injury in 2021 and missed time due to COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols.
While Phoenix won its first two games in Paul's absence, it fell in Game 5 and is now on the brink of elimination as the series shifts back to The Valley of the Sun.
Will the Suns get their floor general back before the series ends? Here's the latest on his status.
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What is Chris Paul's injury?
Paul suffered a left groin strain during the Suns' Game 2 matchup vs. the Nuggets, exiting the game with time ticking down in the third quarter.
Paul jumped for an offensive rebound, immediately grabbing at his left leg on landing. He would exit the game soon after.
Chris Paul appears to injure himself on this play.
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) May 2, 2023
He walked off to the locker room. pic.twitter.com/gTxzyDjwYi
The Suns would rule Paul out with left groin tightness.
The severity of the injury is unclear, but a Grade 1 groin strain generally means 1-to-2 weeks to fully recover.
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How long is Chris Paul out?
On May 3, the Suns officially listed Paul as "day-to-day" but he is expected to be reevaluated in a week's time, sidelining him for Games 3 through 5.
INJURY UPDATE: Further evaluation has confirmed that Chris Paul has sustained a left groin strain. He is considered day to day.
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) May 3, 2023
With Game 6 scheduled for Thursday, May 11, Paul told reporters "I'm trying to" return to action to help Phoenix stave off elimination.
However, when the injury report was released, 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 chance to suit up.
Suns vs. Nuggets schedule
Here is the remaining schedule for the Western Conference Semifinals series between the Suns and Nuggets. The series shifts to Phoenix for Game 6 and a potential Game 7 will be in Denver.
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| Date | Game | Time (ET)/Result | TV channel |
| April 29 | Game 1 | Nuggets 125, Suns 107 | TNT |
| May 1 | Game 2 | Nuggets 97, Suns 87 | TNT |
| May 5 | Game 3 | Suns 121, Nuggets 14 | ESPN |
| May 7 | Game 4 | Suns 129, Nuggets 124 | TNT |
| May 9 | Game 5 | Nuggets 118, Suns 102 | TNT |
| May 11 | Game 6 | 10:00 p.m. at Suns | ESPN |
| May 14 | Game 7* | TBD at Nuggets | TBD |
*If necessary
