The Phoenix Suns are finished if Chris Paul struggles due to injury

Phoenix Suns’ Chris Paul is injured, as shown in a 109-102 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Chris Paul played only 22 minutes with just five shot attempts. Not shooting a 3-pointer is an indicator of him not feeling healthy. The most shocking part is Paul shooting two of four from the free-throw line. Nothing was up to Paul’s usual standards in Game 2.

What does this mean for the Phoenix Suns?

Unfortunately, this means the Suns are finished. Sorry, but I am not going to lie to Suns fans. Without the attention of the defense being on Paul, Devin Booker’s life is too difficult. There are constant double teams and attempts to get the ball out of his hands. There is too much weight on Booker, who shot 41.2 percent from the field.

What Paul’s absence brings is a lack of pressure on the defense. When Paul uses screens to penetrate or go to the mid-range, he causes some havoc. A lack of havoc made the offense stagnant in Game 2. The Suns scored two points from the 5:39 minute mark until Booker hit a free throw with 1:08 left of the game. Would this happen with a healthy Paul? No.

Phoenix Suns’  Cameron Payne was outstanding with 19 points. Payne made some significant shots in the fourth quarter. But we know we are not getting that performance consistently.

Cameron Payne was not quite able to carry the Suns to a 2-0 lead. Believing Phoenix would have been up 2-0 in the series with a healthy Paul, this is a major blow. I cannot see the Suns stealing a game on the road. Not against the defending champions. Not against LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Not without Paul.

The Suns cannot afford a compromised Paul in another game. If Paul is healthy, the Suns can win the series. The Phoenix Suns and their fans better hope Paul is 100 percent soon. Otherwise, it will force Paul and the Suns to go home early.