Suns’ Chris Paul enters COVID-19 protocols ahead of Western Conference finals

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul has been placed in COVID-19 health and safety protocols ahead of the Western Conference finals against the winner of the Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz, according to the Athletic’s Sham’s Charania. He is sidelined indefinitely. 

The isolation period could vary depending on the medical circumstance or if a player is already vaccinated. If the Jazz and Clippers go to seven games, it will be played on Sunday, likely pushing the start of the Western Conference finals to the start of next week.

The Paul has been instrumental in the Suns’ turnaround season as he finished fifth in MVP voting and is averaging 15.7 points, 8.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds a game this postseason. The 36-year-old has the Suns in the conference finals for the first time in more than a decade as they sit four wins away from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993. 

CBS Sports will continue to update this breaking news story as necessary.