The Phoenix Suns were playing meaningful basketball on Sunday for the first time in a decade, and it didn’t take long for the renewed optimism to face a major test.
In the second quarter of Sunday’s Game 1 NBA playoff matchup between the Suns and Lakers, Phoenix guard Chris Paul hit the floor in pain after a collision with teammate Cam Johnson. Paul appeared to hurt his shoulder.
As the mood in the arena hushed out of concern for the Suns star, LeBron James made a point to check on his close friend while Paul was getting helped to the locker room. It was a show of sportsmanship you rarely see in a highly contested playoff game.
LeBron checking on Chris Paul after an apparent injury 🙏
Sportsmanship. pic.twitter.com/6Ccqu6nr5T
— ESPN (@espn) May 23, 2021
Suns' Chris Paul injured in 2nd quarter, taken off the court. Class act by Lebron. #Suns #Lakers @azcentral pic.twitter.com/ozzxWiPlRP
— Michael Chow (@photochowder) May 23, 2021
The Suns, though, would get some great news later in the quarter as Paul was diagnosed with a shoulder contusion. He would return to the action with just over four minutes remaining in the half.
But still, we should all appreciate the sportsmanship from the LeBron and the Lakers. It was great to see.
