Chris Paul and Jose Alvarado are becoming the best of enemies as the Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans battle in the NBA playoffs.
The old veteran is fed up with the undrafted rookie getting all up in his business. Alvarado is the ideal irritant, and the Pelicans are using him on Paul whenever the two are in the game. The Suns haven't let him slow them down, but he is certainly causing Paul problems. Alvarado has forced him into multiple eight-second violations.
In Game 5, Paul reciprocated Alvarado's physicality by kicking him in the groin area. The punishment here doesn't fit the crime, but it at least inadvertently shows Paul's frustrations. The Suns went on to beat the Pelicans.
The NBA announced that Paul has been assessed a flagrant foul for kicking Alvarado in the privates:
Chris Paul (PHX) has been assessed a Flagrant Foul 1 upon league review for his contact against Jose Alvarado (NOP) at 4:35 of the 2nd quarter on 4/26/22. pic.twitter.com/TY2JM3vbfr
— NBA Official (@NBAOfficial) April 28, 2022
The foul could impact Paul if he continues to get unnecessarily rough. If he commits a flagrant 2, he puts himself on the brink of suspension, which would be extra damaging to Phoenix. Devin Booker's injury is bad enough. The Suns cannot afford to lose Paul.
Alvarado's antics might just set Paul over the edge, though. His aggressive defense adds to the Pelicans' identity as a scrappy underdog and gives them an effective backup point guard. With the Pelicans‘ season on the line Thursday in Game 6, Paul could be seeing a lot of his new worst enemy.
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