The Phoenix Suns will have to finish most if not all of the regular season without half of its All-Star backcourt.
Just moments before the 2022 All-Star Game on Sunday, Allie LaForce of TNT reported that Chris Paul had been diagnosed with an avulsion fracture in his right thumb. Paul will be re-evaluated in six-to-eight weeks.
The 12-time All-Star, who along with Devin Booker represented the Suns in this year’s midseason classic, suffered the injury during Phoenix’s victory over Houston on Wednesday. He had reportedly undergone an MRI, but the results were unknown even as he participated in All-Star Weekend events, often with a visible wrap on his injured right hand.
“I’ve had four hand surgeries in my career. It’s like my hand surgeon is part of my family, but things could be a lot worse,” Paul said during Saturday’s All-Star press conference. “I’m still blessed, grateful that we’re 48-10 and if I do miss some time, I know the guys will hold it down.”
Paul is averaging 14.7 points and a league-leading 10.7 assists as he nears his 37th birthday in May.
Phoenix entered the All-Star break with a 48-10 record, seven games better in the loss column than second-place Golden State. The Suns are coming off just their third Western Conference championship season in franchise history and are seeking to win the team’s first ever NBA championship in its 54 seasons of existence.
