Is Chris Paul playing tonight? Latest injury update for Suns vs. Nuggets Game 6

The Suns are hoping to fend off elimination in Game 6 against the Nuggets but they may have to do it without Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton.

There is a real chance Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton have already played their final games for the Phoenix Suns.

It’s going to be up to Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and the rest of the squad to make sure that doesn’t happen.

The Suns will face off with the Nuggets in Game 6 on Thursday night trailing 3-2 in the Western Conference semifinals. A win would take the series to a decisive Game 7. A loss would send Phoenix home for good.

Is Chris Paul playing tonight? Latest injury update for Suns vs. Nuggets Game 6

Paul’s availability for Thursday’s game has already been set. He will not play in Game 6 as he continues to deal with the groin injury that he suffered in Game 2. It will be his fourth missed game of the series.

Ayton is officially listed as questionable with a rib contusion suffered in Game 5. Shams Charania reported that the big man will miss the game, citing league sources.

Paul was averaging 9.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists in the series before his injury. Ayton was averaging 10.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists.

Those are two sizable presences, figuratively and literally, for the Suns to be missing in an elimination game. And this may be the end of the road for both. Paul just turned 38 and his contract has an easy out for the Suns after this season, despite two years remaining. Ayton still has time on his contract but many have wondered if Phoenix will look to shift him on after this campaign.

Having said all that, it’s premature to bury the Suns as Phoenix will be able to turn to Durant and Booker to keep them alive.

Booker is having an outrageously outstanding postseason so far. He’s averaging 35.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 7.1 assists in 10 playoff games so far. It would be a shame for his season to end considering his current output.

Durant has also made his mark with 30.8 points, 10.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists averaged in the series so far. The Suns need the star power to keep on shining bright.

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