6:40pm: Paul is playing on Thursday, Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic tweets.
2:09pm: Suns point guard Chris Paul is listed as probable to return for Thursday’s game at Denver, per Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Paul has missed the past 15 games with a fractured right thumb; the team went 11-4 in his absence. At 59-14, the Suns hold the best record in the NBA.
They lead the No. 2 seed Grizzlies by nine games with only nine games to play, so one more victory by Phoenix will clinch the No. 1 seed and home court advantage throughout the playoffs.
Paul, 36, was named an All-Star for the 12th time this season. Through 58 games (33 MPG), he’s averaging 14.9 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 10.7 APG, and 1.9 SPG on .487/.330/.843 shooting. His 10.7 assists per game leads the league, and if it holds up it will be his fifth assists title.
It was reported on Monday that Paul was nearing a return to action. He was given a six-to-eight week recovery timetable when he initially suffered the fracture on February 20, but it seems he will return in less than five weeks, which is pretty remarkable given his advanced age (by sports standards).
Cameron Payne has been starting in Paul’s stead and is likely to head back to the bench. He’s played well of late since returning from a right wrist injury, averaging 14.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, and 9.5 APG on .421/.339/.783 shooting in March (11 games, 30.5 MPG).
Rank these wing duos, Desmond Bane/Dillon Brooks, Devin Booker/Mikal Bridges, Donovan Mitchell/Bojan Bogdanovic, Klay Thompson/Andrew Wiggins in terms of who you’d rather have in these upcoming playoffs..
In what situation? Matchups play a role. Or do you just want us to name our favorite players?
Also don’t sleep on Dallas. They’re like the Nets of the West. Coming in underrated…
Dallas goin out 1st rd again. The Nets are definitely not underated. And just which pair of guys would you rather have as your starting 2/3 if you were the team’s pg/coach/gm/owner & those were your 4 options
Suns, Memphis and GSW tied, Jazz
Booker & Bridges. Mitchell may be playing some PG to get defense in.
What has CP3’s advanced age have to do with a broken thumb?
I can understand an older dude recovering slower from a foot, ankle, knee, leg, back or neck injuries… but can’t see how it would affect a thumb, right?
BTW I ain’t no physician of any type, just a layman’s opinion, which may or may not be right!
Championship !!!!