The Phoenix Suns are in the midst of a great run in the NBA playoffs.
They own the best record out of all the remaining teams and are in the Western Conference Finals.
However, they have ran into some bad luck.
Their ferocious leader all season long has been Chris Paul.
He is in his first year with the team, but has made such a significant impact.
Paul had to miss Game 1 of the Western Conference and might have to miss more games.
He is currently in the COVID protocol.
Breaking: Chris Paul listed as out (Health and Safety Protocols) for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals vs. the Clippers. pic.twitter.com/tXaqVdyBRw
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 20, 2021
Now the Suns are without their leader and floor general.
Replacing Paul is a very difficult task.
He is a future Hall of Famer for a reason.
The Suns played Game 1 without him, but didn’t lose a step.
They were able to hold off the Los Angeles Clippers to take the series lead.
How were they able to win without Paul’s production?
Here are two ways the Suns have made this possible.
2. The Resurgence Of Cameron Payne
A few years ago, Cameron Payne was known as the dancing sidekick of Russell Westbrook.
He was inefficient and a bad playmaker.
Payne looked as if he was ready to be out of the league for good.
However, this season we saw a change in his game.
He began to make better decisions and became a legit member of the rotation.
The world has been shocked by this resurgence of Payne.
He has played pretty well during this run for the Suns.
With Paul missing time, that means Payne has to enter the starting lineup.
We had no idea what to expect with him starting, but he was very impressive.
Cam Payne starting for Chris Paul:
11 PTS
9 AST
1 TOV
+14 +/- (highest for starter)Point God understudy. pic.twitter.com/2keVJiDHCI
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 20, 2021
He had a very nice game as he almost finished with a double-double.
Out of all of the starters for the Suns, Payne had the best plus/minus.
He has to be the steady option for the Suns until Paul can get out of the protocol.
1. Devin Booker The Superstar
The biggest takeaway from Game 1 is that Devin Booker is a superstar in this league.
The first ever triple-double for Booker’s career couldn’t have come at a better time.
A 40-point outburst by Booker with 13 rebounds and 11 assists was what won them the game.
DEVIN BOOKER WITH A GAME 1 MASTERPIECE!
He notched his first ever triple-double and got the W 👏 pic.twitter.com/VNFKwGqxNy
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 20, 2021
Booker and Paul have been the two best players on the Suns all season long.
However, Paul was the one that received MVP votes.
Paul was supposed to be the sole reason for the Suns’ success.
This was false as Booker has been amazing all season long.
The Western Conference Finals is the perfect stage to show that.
Game 1 is in the books and he already has elevated himself to another level.
Booker has to be a superstar during Paul’s absence.
As of right now, he has risen to the occasion.
He was the best player on the floor against the Clippers in Game 1.
Booker can even be the best player in this series.
Paul will be missed for the time being, but Booker is capable of carrying this team.
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