Chris Paul must step up more for the Suns with the absence of Devin Booker

Jul 17, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) reacts after a call in the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks during game five of the 2021 NBA Finals at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Despite having an outstanding regular season and clinching the number one seed for the playoffs well before the postseason began, the Phoenix Suns find themselves in a battle with the New Orleans Pelicans just to reach the second round. After a stunning 125-114 loss to New Orleans on Tuesday, the news got worse for Phoenix, as they will not have their star shooting guard Devin Booker for the two games in Louisiana because of a mild hamstring sprain according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Booker averaged 26.8 points per game for Phoenix in the regular season. He also had five rebounds per game, 4.8 assists, a field goal percentage of .466, three-point percentage of .383, and a free throw percentage of .868.

With the loss of Booker, next on the depth chart at shooting guard for the Suns is Landry Shamet of Kansas City, Missouri. The fourth-year guard who has previously played with the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Brooklyn Nets, is averaging 8.3 points per game in 2021-22, and had five points in 12 minutes in game two.

Let’s not kid ourselves. The Suns star who needs to dominate is point guard Chris Paul. Phoenix may be counting a lot from the 36-year-old, 12-time All-Star point guard. However, literally, without Booker, he is the best player they have.

In game one, Paul became the fifth player in NBA history to record a statistical line of at least 30 points and 10 assists 10 times in a playoff game. In the process, he joined NBA greats LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Jerry West, and Oscar Robertson. The Suns beat the Pelicans 110-99. Then in game two, Paul had a solid performance with another double-double as he had 17 points and 14 assists with zero turnovers, but it was not enough as Phoenix lost 125-114 to New Orleans at home.

It is the Pelicans that have momentum on their side right now. They are playing with energy, speed and exuberance. A first round upset was very possible before the series began. Now with Phoenix without their star player, a first round win by the Pelicans is looking more and more likely. Chris Paul was solid over the first two games, and will have to be even better in game three and beyond.

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