2 min read • February 27, 2022
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After a 48-10 record in their first 58 games, including a relentless 21-2 stretch since the calendar flipped to 2022, the Suns endured a massive blow when Chris Paul suffered an avulsion fracture in his right thumb, keeping him out likely for the rest of the regular season.
Devin Booker and co. are no slouches and will compete without Paul just as they did at multiple points in the 2021 playoffs while he was struggling with hand and shoulder ailments and a bout with COVID that coincided with the Western Conference Finals.
Phoenix, however, had not played a game without Paul heading into the break and is already 1-1 in the Paul-less era.
The 12-time all-star’s absence is multiplied by Cameron Payne’s unavailability as he is still about a week away from the court with a sprained wrist. Backup point guard Aaron Holiday is questionable with a sprained ankle, leaving Elfrid Payton as the only point guard ensured to play on Sunday.
The Jazz, meanwhile, are 6-1 since Donovan Mitchell returned from a concussion on Feb. 24, winning 4 of the 6 games by 15-or-more points. Mitchell is averaging 28.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists on .512/.457/.854 shooting splits in that stretch.
Utah is 27-12 in total with both Mitchell and all-star Rudy Gobert. The biggest question mark for the Jazz is veteran small forward Rudy Gay, who has not played since Feb. 4 with right knee soreness.
Gobert versus DeAndre Ayton and Booker versus Mitchell will both provide great individual matchups, but the Jazz project as the healthier squad overall:
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