Chris Paul leaves Game 5 with potential shoulder injury (Video)

The Phoenix Suns were cruising through Game 5 against the Los Angeles Lakers, but guard Chris Paul went down with an apparent shoulder injury.

The first-round series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns went into the latter’s favor after Anthony Davis went down with a groin strain. But during Game 5, Phoenix had to worry about an injury to one of their pivotal players.

In the third quarter, Suns guard Chris Paul collided with Lakers guard Wesley Matthews, causing him to fall to the court and grab his right shoulder. That was the very shoulder he injured during Game 1. Paul stayed in the game to hit his free throws, but he was pulled from the game.

NBA Playoffs: Chris Paul’s injury could change Suns-Lakers series

Paul likely will not return to the game, and understandably so given the scoreline. We won’t know more about his status afterward when Suns head coach Monty Williams talks with reporters.

CP3 is one of the toughest point guards and players in the Association. If he can play moving forward, he will. But it’s unfortunate to see such a talented player go down with the same ailment twice in a series, and even more so knowing how much he means to the Suns success moving forward.