Tim MacMahonESPN Staff Writer12:03 AM ET1 Minute Read
DENVER — Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul was eliminated from Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter Monday night due to a left groin strain.
The club announced the injury earlier in the fourth quarter, adding that Paul would not be returning. Phoenix ended up losing 97-87, falling into a 2-0 series gap.
Paul checked out the game at 4:32 in the third quarter and immediately went to the dressing room.
A few possessions earlier, Paul grabbed his left groin after struggling to box Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Paul slowly walked up the court after the Suns gained possession.
After the game, Phoenix coach Monty Williams said Paul “can’t pull the trigger at all” after the injury. The Suns will learn more about their severity on Tuesday.
Paul, who turns 38 on Saturday, has dealt with playoff injuries multiple times during his surefire Hall of Famer career. He has missed eight career playoff games through injury, most notably a hamstring strain that sidelined Paul for the final two games of the 2018 Western Conference Finals as his Houston Rockets built a 3-2 lead, but against eventual champion Golden State Warriors lost.
Paul averaged 13.2 points and 7.7 assists per game this Monday postseason.