2 min read • February 21, 2022
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Right before the All-Star game tipped off, Allie LaForce reported that Chris Paul was diagnosed by the Suns with a right thumb avulsion fracture and will be re-evaluated in 6-to-8 weeks.
The Suns pushed the release of the news back that they likely received after an MRI late last week. Paul suffered the injury last Wednesday night after his finger jammed into Jae-Sean Tate's arm attempting to throw a frozen-rope pass.
An avulsion fracture is a fracture and a grade 3 ligament tear in which the ligaments pull a small piece of bone with it.
The 6-to-8 week timeline is in line with this injury, and the hope would be Paul is able to return before the playoffs begin on April 16.
Based on video, it's unclear whether Paul injured his UCL or RCL. He previously injured the RCL, or radial collateral ligament, in his right hand, but the more common injury is to the UCL, or ulnar collateral ligament.
Paul is well accustomed to significant hand injuries: he has had 4 surgeries in his career, and last year played for much of the playoffs with torn ligaments in his right hand.
He said that "things could be a lot worse," and considering his history, we should be inclined to believe him.
Paul has played all 58 games for the 48-10 Suns, who are 18-1 since Jan. 11, averaging 14.9 points and a league-high 10.7 assists per game.
Paul will be the 3rd key Phoenix cog to miss time this year, as Devin Booker missed 7 games in December with a hamstring strain and DeAndre Ayton has missed 21 games with a combination of knee and ankle injuries and a bout with COVID-19.
In his absence, Cameron Payne and Elfrid Payton will lead the offense, with Devin Booker and Mikal Bridges pushed into a bigger scoring and playmaking load.
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