Chris Paul was ejected from Wednesday’s game against Houston at Footprint Center after receiving back-to-back technical fouls in the third quarter.
The Suns 12-time All-Star was complaining about his right hand being injured when he received the first technical from referee JT Orr.
He grabbed at his hand after a deflected pass stolen by Dennis Schroder. Paul immediately grabbed at his hand as he hit it on the arm of Jae’Sean Tate, who was guarding him on the play.
Then Paul bumped into Orr from behind. Orr handed Paul the second tech for the automatic ejection with 9:07 left in the third.
Lead referee Mark Lindsay explained the first technical was for using profanity and the second came from making contact with Orr.
Phoenix (48-10) won, 124-121, after trailing Houston (15-42) by six going into the fourth.
After the game, Suns coach said Monty Williams said he didn’t have an update on the injury, but three-time All-Star Devin Booker said Paul “was fine.”
Booker didn’t think the injury would keep him out of Sunday’s NBA All-Star game.
“I don’t think so,” Booker said.
Mikal Bridges elaborated on Paul’s emotions as he’s had issues in his career.
“I know he was a little down, but I just told him I was going to pray for him,” Bridges said. “Just keep him in my prayers. I just hope he’s going to be OK because I know it’s tough for him. Him being out at certain times in his career. Playoffs and when we’re rolling and things like that. Like the last game before the break. It was just tough and I know mentally, just trying to make sure he’s OK.”
Paul has surgery on his left wrist after last year’s finals to repair partially torn ligaments. Averaging 15 points and a league-best 10.8 assists, Paul is in the MVP conversation for a second straight season in his second year in Phoenix.
Paul was voted into this year’s All-Star game in Cleveland as a reserve. If he’s unable to go, NBA Commissioner picks the injury replacements.
Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.
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