Chris Paul of the Phoenix Suns played for the first time in a month on Wednesday night, but his performance against the Boston Celtics was far from sufficient.
Paul, who has been sidelined since November 7 because of a heel injury that required him to exit a defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers, finished with four points, four rebounds, and four assists in 24 minutes, but Boston won 125-98.
With Paul out for the past month, the Suns went 9-5.
On Wednesday, the 37-year-old had played in 10 games this season, averaging 9.5 points and 9.4 assists.Paul has never averaged fewer than the 14.7 he put up last season, so the 9.5 points would be without a doubt the lowest of his career. Moreover, he is shooting worse than ever from the field.
Al Horford, Boston’s starting center, was absent because he entered the NBA’s health and safety procedures on Wednesday. After recovering from a non-COVID sickness, guard Malcolm Brogdon played 19 minutes and finished with 16 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds.
The Celtics have the best record in the NBA with a 21-5 mark after winning their first two road games in Brooklyn on Sunday and Toronto on Monday. Prior to a back-to-back in Los Angeles on Monday and Tuesday, Boston will play the Golden State Warriors on Saturday in San Francisco. (27.3%) point line