The Phoenix Suns dropped Game 3 against the Los Angeles Clippers to shrink their series lead to one game. During the game, Cam Payne hurt his ankle and left early, and Chris Paul made his return but was seen grasping his hand in discomfort time and time again. On Friday, Suns head coach Monty Williams gave updates on his pair of point guards and discussed their injuries.
“We’re hopeful to get a good report, but we just don’t know for sure yet.”
Monty Williams on Cam Payne’s availability for Game 4.
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) June 25, 2021
While quite vague, that doesn't sound particularly encouraging for Payne and the Suns. In Paul's absence, Payne was huge in the first pair of games and the loss of him was clearly evident on Thursday night as the Suns fell to the Clippers.
Paul's update is more encouraging, and the signs are pointing to him suiting up for Game 4 on Saturday.
“It was a little sore, but I just saw him a few minutes ago and he seems to be okay.”
Monty Williams on Chris Paul’s hand injury. #Suns
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) June 25, 2021
Paul's hand clearly bothered him throughout the game, and he finished with 15 points and 12 assists but shot just 5-19 from the field and 2-7 from beyond the arc.
Devin Booker– who was marvelous in Game 1– shot just 5-21 in Game 3 and the Suns lost by 14 points as the Clippers pulled away in the second half.
If the Suns are without Payne or Paul, it would be tough to overcome, and there is a likelihood that the Suns head back to Phoenix in a tied series instead of with a lead.
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