LOS ANGELES — After a 106-92 loss in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals by a 2-game absence due to NBA health & safety protocols, Phoenix Suns was in no mood to reflect on point guard Chris Paul's latest blow to him through the playoffs. Have to navigate the stage.
"S---happens, and it happened," Paul said of his eight-day isolation period from the team due to testing positive for the coronavirus, even though he had already been vaccinated. "I am here now. That's why I am good."
He was less satisfied with his performance on Thursday, going 5-for-19 off the floor & finishing with 15 points, 12 assists & three steals as the LA Clippers drew the series to a 2-1 draw.
"I've to get better. I shot terrible," said Paul. "I've to pick up the pace. We'll be ready for Game 4.
He was unwilling to play at the start of the conference finals due to COVID-19, as he recalled the moment he received bad news from Brady Howe, the Sun's senior director of health & performance.
"I was lying in bed with my kids & got a message from Brady," Paul said. "That's it. I dealt with it. Anyone with kids, anytime you are going through anything, the hardest part is getting away from your kids and your family. Once you are through the shock of what's happening pass out, so the how & why in the hell. You just start figuring out how you can get better."
While Paul stayed away from the team in LA, the Suns went 2-0 up in Phoenix without him, as the 16-year veteran's interactions with his team & friends in the NBA were limited to texts & phone calls.
"I talked to some people around the league who called me, checked on me & what not," he said. "I think the biggest thing, they called up & said they love the way our team is. Some guys like the stars in our league called up and said, 'Man, the way you guys really are a Play together, play to see him play for each other, it's real' - our relationships & stuff.
"It's real. It's a fun group, and when you are around a group like that, you want to win. You never want to end the season because you really like being around each other." "
Paul said he could not do much physically & while he was out he shot at the cordon at his home. But he did not want any bout of martyrdom just because he had another personal postseason disappointment that had to be digested. He had a broken arm in the 2016 playoffs, after his hamstring was out in the 2015 & 2018 playoffs, & he had already pushed through a shoulder injury in the 1st round this year against the Los Angeles Lakers.
"I am happy to play here," said Paul. "There are a lot of people in the world who deal with this [virus] & I don't get the opportunity that I have. So I am grateful to be back here."
Suns coach Monty Williams said he wished he could have played Paul, 36, with a little less than the 39 minutes he logged in Game 3, but Williams had little choice after backup point guard Cameron Payne got the opening. Sprained left ankle. He is going.
Williams said, "I thought I played him too much. He was probably tired. But we felt sad when Cam Payne couldn't come back, so I left Chris on longer. It's on me." "But I think if he practices more & plays more - he has not done much in 10 days - I think he will be much better in the next game from a conditioning point of view."
Williams did not rule out Payne's return on Saturday. “We had a little trouble with Chris not having a cam to do the magic,” he said, “so hopefully [Payne] can come back and play in the next game.”
And Paul, just two wins from the 1st Finals appearance of his career, is up for whatever he brings ahead of the playoffs.
"Things could get a lot worse," he said. "I am here now, I have got an incredible team in Phoenix & I have the best support system you can absolutely have. So no one here feels sorry. Whatever happened is in the past, & You move on."