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NBA: Game 1 availability for Suns' Chris Paul remains in doubt

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Field Level Media/Reuters

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/reuters/06/20/20210620-phoenix-lakers-nba-rtr.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Cameron Payne is expected to start if the 36-year-old Paul (pictured), who remains under the NBA&#x27;s health and safety protocols, cannot play on Sunday. <em>Kirby Lee, USA Today Sports/Reuters</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul&#x27;s availability is in doubt for Game 1 of the Western Conference finals after the team announced Saturday that he remains under the NBA&#x27;s health and safety protocols.</p><p>The Suns are playing in the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2010. They will host the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 1 on Sunday afternoon.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/17/21/nba-chris-paul-enters-covid-19-protocols-out-indefinitely">NBA: Chris Paul enters COVID-19 protocols, out indefinitely</a></li></ul><p>&quot;Because of the climate that we live, things change from day-to-day,&quot; Phoenix coach Monty Williams said Saturday. </p><p>&quot;I try to take it one day at a time. I certainly understand the line of questions, but for me, based on the information and based on the history of this particular protocol, everything is day-to-day. So that&#x27;s how I have to approach it.&quot; </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/17/21/nba-lebron-playoffs-injuries">‘They all didn’t wanna listen!’ LeBron blasts NBA, as playoff injuries mount</a></li></ul><p>Cameron Payne is expected to start if the 36-year-old Paul can&#x27;t play on Sunday.</p><p>The Suns advanced to the conference finals with a sweep of the Denver Nuggets behind Paul&#x27;s 25.5 points per game and 41-to-5 assist-to-turnover ratio in the series. Paul was placed in protocols Wednesday, three days after the Suns ended the Nuggets&#x27; season.</p><p>Paul, who is the president of the NBA Players Union, has made one other trip to the conference finals -- in 2018 with the Houston Rockets. He was forced out of that series with a hamstring injury after the Rockets went up 3-2 in the best-of-seven set. Houston lost the final two games to the Golden State Warriors.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/20/21/nba-giannis-bucks-survive-durant-brooklyn-to-reach-east-finals">NBA: Giannis, Bucks survive Durant, Brooklyn to reach East finals</a></li></ul><div><strong>FROM THE ARCHIVES:</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1652779" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>Cameron Payne is expected to start if the 36-year-old Paul, who remains under the NBA's health and safety protocols, cannot play on Sunday.</p>

Cameron Payne is expected to start if the 36-year-old Paul, who remains under the NBA's health and safety protocols, cannot play on Sunday.