Getty Image
Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets took a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Semifinals following Monday night’s 97-87 win.
To make matters worse for Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and the rest of the Phoenix Suns, Game 2 also saw Chris Paul exit the game towards the end of the third quarter with groin tightness, putting his status for the rest of the series in doubt.
It’s certainly a tough blow for Paul, as the Suns’ midseason acquisition of Kevin Durant made it appear as though the 37-year-old future Hall of Famer was on course for his first NBA Finals appearance in his storied career.
That title pursuit, however, could now be falling apart, which has NBA fans clowning on Paul — who has become somewhat notorious for postseason injuries over the last decade or so — for likely ending another season without a ring.
Chris Paul thought he had a free ring after kd trade he gon retire ringless 😭😭pic.twitter.com/HHbAGWx2uT
— ✮ (@UTDJalen) May 2, 2023
Chris Paul decided to do all that punk ass vegan shit and wonder why he can’t stay healthy. eat you some steak bitch ass boy
— WhoDatTrap (@TrapGawdd) May 2, 2023
https://twitter.com/not_goodname/status/1653255972725624834
Following the game, shooting guard Devin Booker said he’s hoping for a “speedy recovery”:
“All we can do is hope he has a speedy recovery,” Booker said. “We’re going to be behind him. We’re going to hold it down while he is out — or if he’s out — and just take it from there.”
Death, taxes and Chris Paul getting injured in the playoffs pic.twitter.com/smCH6VMrDb
— David Wolf (@ItsDavidWolf_) May 2, 2023
Chris paul really will retire without a ring pic.twitter.com/EDOA0NvzFI
— Fons🥋⌖¹¹ (@4PFFons) May 2, 2023
https://twitter.com/airforce_juan_/status/1653246798549381121
If the Suns are going to mount a comeback and advance to the Western Conference Finals, they’re going to have to win Game 3 on Friday night — likely without the services of Paul — in order to avoid finding themselves in a virtually insurmountable 0-3 hole.
Elsewhere in the Western Conference, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are set to begin their Conference Semifinal series against Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, May 2.
As a result of their losses in Game 1 and Game 2, the Suns have become underdogs to advance to the Western Conference Finals, as their series odds currently sit at +240 (conversely, the Nuggets are currently -295). As for the Warriors-Lakers series, the defending champions are currently favored to advance with odds of about -155.