Projected Suns starting lineup against Nuggets in Game 3 of Western Conference Semifinals

With Chris Paul out the Suns will have to make some tweaks to their lineup for Game against the Nuggets. Here is who we could see take the floor.

The Phoenix Suns have the talent to overcome even the 2-0 they find themselves in against the Denver Nuggets. But that talent took a hit with yesterday’s report that a groin injury would likely keep Chris Paul out of the lineup for the next three games.

Paul has been relatively quiet in the postseason and hit just 32.1 percent from beyond the arc. But his all-around game — 12.4 points, 7.4 assists and 5.0 rebounds — has been crucial for the Suns. Phoenix can lean on the scoring and creation ability of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant but they’ll absolutely miss Paul in other ways and filling his spot in the rotation won’t be simple.

Suns projected starting lineup for Game 3

PG: Cameron Payne
SG: Devin Booker
SF: Kevin Durant
PF: Josh Okogie
C: Deandre Ayton
Bench: Bismack Biyombo, Torrey Craig, Damion Lee, Jock Landale, Ish Wainwright

Payne will likely take Paul’s place in the starting lineup and create an opening for more minutes for Damion Lee and Landry Shamet.

The biggest issue for the Suns has been their complete inability to create open 3-pointers on the perimeter. The Nuggets have done a fantastic job of defending Phoenix’s creators straight-up and swarming off-ball shooters spotting up or running off screens. Payne, Shamet and Lee are all good outside shooters who can help pressure the defense but none have Paul’s awareness or ability to attack closeouts and mismatches.

Again, the Suns have the talent to get back into this series. But they’re going to need the Nuggets’ defense to begin pulling apart and both Booker and Durant to be terrific.

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