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

Gilbert McGregor

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

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.

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.

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

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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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 114 ESPN
May 7 Game 4 Suns 129, Nuggets 124 TNT
May 9 Game * Nuggets 118, Suns 102 TNT
May 11 Game 6 10 p.m. at Suns ESPN
May 14 Game 7* TBD at Nuggets TBD

*If necessary

Gilbert McGregor

Gilbert McGregor Photo

Gilbert McGregor first joined The Sporting News in 2018 as a content producer for Global editions of NBA.com. Before covering the game, McGregor played basketball collegiately at Wake Forest, graduating with a Communication degree in 2016. McGregor began covering the NBA during the 2017-18 season and has been on hand for a number of league events.