For most of the season, Chris Paul and the Phoenix Suns have dominated the NBA with ease. After finishing the regular season with the best record in the league, the team kept up their strong play in the postseason, beating the talented Pelicans in Round 1.
But over the last two games, the Suns have dropped the ball big time, and Chris Paul has not been his usual self.
In Game 4 on Sunday, CP3 scored a whopping 5 points before fouling out early in the fourth quarter. Now, the Suns are tied at 2-2 headed back to Phoenix.
On social media, fans were quick to react, praising the Mavericks, calling an upset, and roasting Paul for his underwhelming performance.
Chris Paul went to Dallas and forgot how to function?
— Nekias (Nuh-KY-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) May 8, 2022
Chris Paul with a 2-0 series lead pic.twitter.com/nxijZrKufW
— NBA All Access (@NBAALLACCESS3) May 8, 2022
https://twitter.com/chmpagnemami/status/1523398244336037888
You’re not so tough on the road, or without CP @DevinBook pic.twitter.com/SQ1JTtzMYh
— Nick Springer (@NickSpringer1) May 8, 2022
After losing 11 straight to the Suns, the Mavs have won two in a row to make this a best-of-3 for the Western Conference Finals.
Whew.
— Callie Caplan (@CallieCaplan) May 8, 2022
https://twitter.com/LakewitaB/status/1523429395351801856https://twitter.com/LouAye_/status/1523429716065394688https://twitter.com/ToniXBolomboy/status/1523429457964695552
cp3 embarrassed himself on live tv pic.twitter.com/R3BjvBjJu5
— em (@4EverFranchise) May 8, 2022
Mavs players hearing the “Suns in 4” chant: pic.twitter.com/uskbmL3rLW
— charles snarkley (@yourguycharles) May 8, 2022
All season long, the Suns have faced little adversity. They’ve been focused and mostly healthy for the majority of the 2021-22 campaign.
On the court, they excel on both ends of the floor and in the clutch, when Chris Paul usually elevates his game to close the deal for his squad.
“The end of the game is exciting for the fans,” said Paul on the final minutes. “And as for us players, you just have to get to work. It all comes down to work. You can’t cheat the game. You have to work on strength and fitness, you have to lift weights, you have to rest, you have to practice “When you do that, you’ll live with the results.”
For whatever reason, the Suns have been unable to make quick work of their opponents in these playoffs. The Pelicans were able to win 2 games despite finishing 10 games under .500 for games from October to April.
Now, they seem to be in real danger against the Mavericks, who have shown that they are capable of hanging around with this Suns team.
In Phoenix on Tuesday, Paul’s team will get another chance to re-take control of the series and tip the scales in their favor. We will see if they seize the opportunity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKKoVt8fXws
