2:04pm: Despite the Suns’ optimism on Paul, there’s nothing to report today, according to head coach Monty Williams, who said that CP3’s status remains the same — he’s still in the health and safety protocols (Twitter link via Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated).
8:05am: Suns point guard Chris Paul, who tested positive for COVID-19 last week, has been symptom-free since registering that positive test, sources tell Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.
According to Haynes, the Suns are encouraged by the progress of Paul, who has been quarantining in Los Angeles, and are hopeful that he’ll be able to clear the NBA’s health and safety protocols at some point “early” in the Western Finals. Game 2 vs. the Clippers is scheduled for Tuesday following Phoenix’s Game 1 win on Sunday.
Paul has reportedly been vaccinated against the coronavirus, and the fact that he’s symptom-free should further expedite his return. However, he’ll still need to record multiple negative tests before he receives clearance to rejoin the team.
“It’s just a day-to-day thing with him right now,” head coach Monty Williams said after Sunday’s game, per Haynes. “I probably drive the people here crazy with that, but that’s the way it is. We’re hopeful that any day now we hear he can ramp up and get back with us. But right now, he’s in the protocol.”
Paul helped lead the Suns to the second-best record in the NBA season and wins in the first two rounds of the postseason, earning All-NBA Second Team honors and finishing fifth in MVP voting.
Even without him in the lineup though, Phoenix was able to pick up a win in Game 1 on Sunday over the Clippers, who are missing an All-NBA player of their own (Kawhi Leonard). Devin Booker made up for Paul’s absence by posting 40 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists, while replacement point guard Cameron Payne recorded 11 points and nine assists, along with a plus-14 rating, in 29 minutes.
He’ll be back to cheating the game in no time. Can’t wait to see him draw foul after foul with his swiping the ball under defenders arms and putting on the brakes so defenders run into him in the back court. It’s really fun to watch him shot free throws. I can’t wait
You mad bro?
Mad? I’m excited. Who doesn’t like watching free contests
CP3 was 90th in the NBA in FT attempts per game this year. Sooo…what’s the issue?
U actually looked that up? Lol. If u think what I said he does should be a part of basketball then you definitely never played a pick up game. You try that on the blacktop and someone is liable to go to the trunk of their car and get that thang
They don’t play on the blacktop, they play in arenas and what you’re complaining about happening doesn’t actually happen because he shoots three free throws a game. You’re whining about something that is only happening in your head.
The nba is only making an unnatural shot motion rule cause of guys like him bud. Why do u come on sports apps but not actually watch games?
I watch a lot of Suns games and have never noticed the issue that you’re whining about. The amount of free throws he shots supports my thought that it’s not actually an issue. You trying to compare it to a pick up game shows that you don’t really have any evidence to support your argument. Did you see it happen in one game and assume it’s a constant problem? Do you have any actual evidence or facts that back it up? I’m going to guess that you’ll make another straw man statement and high-five yourself for being so clever.
I’m just here so I don’t get fined
Clippers in six or seven. Bucks in 4 or 5.
The suns are navigating uncharted waters here. Their one major veteran who provides all the leadership hasn’t even been past the second round in the playoffs. I guess Jae Crowder provides a little leadership and has been here before and that probably helps. Don’t get me wrong I love the suns and I’m not knocking them, I just think the Clippers will take this one. I have to stick to my guns LOL I said Nets out of the East and either Clippers or Lakers out of the west. I’m still alive LOL.
As a side note I can’t hardly wait to watch Patrick Beverley vs Chris Paul and Rajon Rondo vs Chris Paul. That’s going to be high entertainment value to be sure. I know Paul and Rondo can’t stand each other and I’m sure Beverly will soon find himself in that same category. Going to be fun to watch !!
I had Phoenix and Philly, but Utah and Doc Rivers killed me b/c now there are 2 remaining iffy matchups for my Phoenix pick. This might be the first time since 2010 I dont have the champion picked correctly, although I should have been wrong 3-4 of those times. My secondary picks, if things went weird, from before the season are still technically alive, but I’m not counting that
Even though I’m picking the Clippers, Phoenix looks real good. Many are going that way and they’re probably favored. I’m not seeing it, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Suns go all the way.
I’m not sure Phoenix can beat Milwaukee, but they can definitely beat the Clippers and Atlanta. Clippers are huge wildcards though, no one knows how long the league can’t see Steph Curry is wearing a Terance Mann costume out there, if no one spots it, then they have a weapon that could end any game.
Chris has actually been to the conference finals with Houston
Until he got himself hurt and cost them the championship.
And that team was way better than this year’s Suns are.
It was Harden that cost them that year.
Are you even a fan of the game or just troll on every topic? 4/40 in G7 2018. But let’s blame CP3 instead of tubby mcbeard.
Wally, you mean just like harden this year?)
The Suns are navigating uncharted waters? Aren’t the Clippers as well? First ever WCF and one of their only guys with deep playoff experience, Kawhi, might be limited/out for the entire series.
I mean, sure, as a whole, they’re a little more experienced, but I don’t know if it is going to be enough. If Kawhi was 100% I would agree with you, but I think Suns in 6 if he can’t play.
Glad CP3 is symptom Free. So can you send me a push notification when the Sixers trade Ben Simmons? Thanks in advance.
Huge Chris Paul fan, but how is Paul on the All NBA team and not Booker. This is Booker team and not Paul’s, let’s not fool ourselves.
It has always been Bookers team yet they went nowhere until CP3 & Crowder showed up.
And James Jones executive OTY.
B/c Booker isn’t even that good, although he finally became a good player last year. This year he was kind of in between where he was last year, and where he was previously. Having Chris Paul, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, and Cam Johnson around him helps hide his deficiencies, and makes him better
Do you even watch basketball?
Obviously not game 1 of the WCF with Booker’s 40-point trpl-dbl.
Booker is one of the best under-25 players in the entire league. Has been even better this year in the postseason. Still hasn’t hit his prime.
Having a good supporting cast helps, yes, but that is a true statement for every player in the league. Booker has been on some awful teams in his young career.
Does the supporting cast help Booker or Booker helps the supporting cast? You argue both ways. The argument can be avoided by not making it be about Booker. Most teams have a Booker-level player yet fall by the wayside.
The Suns however had a GM who got rid of the fails and downers of the previous GM and brought in at least five poised to elevate… and Booker was not the allstar. Age is irrelevant to playoff competition, though Booker’s age makes him a better asset financially.
Really hope for a PHX-MIL final. Would be great to see Gianis or CP3 win.
All players unions in all sports need to insist that vaccinated players not be subjected to testing anymore. Once you have done the responsible thing, you should have to have swabs shoved up your nose.
Players may not mind if swabs are stuck up other players’ noses, just to be safe.
There is a natural stopping point coming up (year end).
Perhaps we should leave that decision to those people who are actually in the union.
I disagree, this is exactly how things should be and always should have been. Other countries are laughing at how paranoid and stupid we are. Covid is real, the fears of the loud few are not.
Why do you keep posting this? I seriously doubt any player gives a hoot if they are required to undergo 30 seconds of COVID testing every day.
rct, ted pretends covid concerns are part of the civil rights “march”. The personal-freedom-of-others issue ranks behind health and union issues.
Also, Marty agrees with him, so that’s a clue. “Other nations are laughing at us”… Actually, other nations wish we cared more and also can be seen masked. It depends on so many factors. Why would Marty claim what he claims?— always the question.
Booker is still just 24. He had an usually high number of bad habits early in his career, but he has NOTHING to apologize for in that regard. Anything he did worse than typical for a young G with such a wide array of skills can be explained by how poorly he was served by his organization back then. Prior to Rubio, the best PG he played with was Payton, before his injury. The worst was either Bledsoe or himself (during the ill fated attempts by the prior HC to make him the PG).
CP3 is an all time great, and a perfect back court partner for any young talented SG. But Booker’s career arc really turned positive the day JJ declined to draft Colby White, and instead freed up cap space and signed Rubio. CP3 or no CP3, PHX was going to be in the playoffs this year, and Booker an All Star candidate. #2 seed? Probably not.
Wow what a decision. Chicago’s problem now. The problem of short shooting guards has bedevilled NBA orgs. for at least 40 years maybe longer. Goodrich vs Monroe was great, but eventually, successful teams were bringing their Colby Whites off the bench or basically had a 3-guard rotation.
It is too bad under-6ft players have to learn PG skills or else. Some exciting BB skills get lost.
Booker does go full-go with his 2G spot like one wishes some combo guards would.
Paul is the Robin and Booker is the Batman. As long as Paul doesnt forget this, Suns will go far. Paul gets so much media attention and I am a huge fan, but he never has won anything in NBA.
Paul is only good with young players anyway, vets don’t like him acting like the coach, franchise player, and president of the players union at 36 scoring 16 a game.
There is no Batman/Robin. That is a comicbook approach, I think repurposed for BB as a dig at Kyrie Irving. There is a 1 and a 2 but the smart game-reading CPaul only takes over if there is a flow problem or a mismatch.
Agree that CPaul is more popular wearing fewer hats… also he may be more accurate that way!
CP’s entire legacy is on the line this postseason when he comes back. Because if he comes back and they lose every game, history will not look upon him fondly at all.
Nobody is beating Suns now. Booker and Chris are locked in on this opportunity. Ayton is the next great big. Would’ve been nice to see him go against Embiid.
Suns bench is not deep. But they are the BEST TEAM still playing. This is a two way sport. Bucks are chokers and Hawks are babies. Hawks not beating Bucks. Hawks only team Bucks not scared of. Clippers not winning without Kawhi . You do understand that. Suns and Chris will never have a better shot at a ring. They are locked in. Calling it.
Love Ayton. He’s the player I wish/hope Mitchell Robinson would develop into. Will likely not happen but I can dream.
Ayton has improved, but he isnt as good as these comments make it seem
While true, as a Knicks fan, I would kill for Robinson to be as good as him.