The second round of the NBA playoffs is well underway for the top-seeded Denver Nuggets and the star-studded Phoenix Suns, with Nikola Jokic and company already out to a commanding 2-0 series lead.
As the series heads to Phoenix for Game 3 and Game 4, the Suns will be under tremendous pressure to get back in this series, or Kevin Durant’s squad could be in danger of not only losing the series but getting swept altogether.
Although things aren’t looking good for the Suns right now, former NBA star Jamal Crawford isn’t writing off Phoenix ahead of Game 3 on Friday at the Footprint Center.
Crawford believes that the Suns need production from their bench if they’re going to be able to get back into this series with the Nuggets via Showtime’s Rachel Nichols.
.@JCrossover isn’t backing down from his Suns pick – but he does want to see Phoenix lean on its role players more. The Suns bench totaled just 4 points in Game 2. 🌟 link to full What’s Burnin’ pod in bio. pic.twitter.com/AfQLBxRPkG
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) May 3, 2023
Although Crawford is right that the bench needs to step up in Phoenix, the Suns were dealt a costly blow with star point guard Chris Paul going down with a groin injury that will keep him out for the next two to three games of the series.
Paul’s groin could be severe enough to end his season, as those types of injuries are not something that players can bounce back quickly from.
With Paul out for at least the next two games, the Suns are in trouble and will need players outside of Durant and Devin Booker to step up in his absence.
The future looks bleak for the Suns, with Game 3 in Phoenix indicating where this series will go and if this team can compete.
NEXT: NBA Insider Gives Latest Update On Chris Paul's Injury
