The Phoenix Suns lost in heartbreaking fashion to the Denver Nuggets in an overtime thriller on Friday night. Suns star point guard Chris Paul took responsibility for committing a costly blunder that prevented them from getting the chance to win in regulation.
Near the end of the fourth quarter, with the game tied at 108, Nuggets guard Jamal Murray failed to connect on a turnaround step back jumper that would have given the lead. Paul retrieved the possession with a couple of seconds remaining on the game, which would have been enough for a final shot. However, instead of calling a timeout that would have given Suns head coach Monty Williams the opportunity to set up a play, CP3 continued dribbling and heaved up a half-court shot that came up short.
Watch the sequence below:
Gotta call timeout here not sure what Chris Paul is doing https://t.co/ueLybf1itQ
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) January 23, 2021
Paul later admitted to his crucial error in judgment. Nonetheless, he would rather put this game in the rear view mirror quickly, as the Suns play the Nuggets once again on Saturday.
Chris Paul takes the blame for that end-of-regulation play. "I gotta call a timeout…I told coach 'my bad.'"
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) January 23, 2021
"You've gotta have a short memory" CP3 says about facing this same Nuggets team again tomorrow
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) January 23, 2021
Of course, nobody would be talking about this had the Suns won the game in overtime. It certainly stings more considering that Phoenix held a 14 point lead at the half and failed to close out Denver when it had the chance.
Paul struggled with his shot on the night, going just 5-of-15 en route to 11 points. Nonetheless, he did hand out a game-high 15 assists.
The Suns will look to right the ship on Saturday. Paul's end of regulation mishap may be the talking point of the postgame, but Phoenix will need to see where this game went wrong for them.
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