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Suns head coach Monty Williams said the team will approach Paul’s situation as they have previously done with other players who have entered the league’s Covid-19 protocols this season.
“It’s like anything else, when we’ve had guys in the past who’ve had it or been in this situation, where you have to go into protocols.” Williams said in a media conversation Wednesday. “There is a natural concern for the person and that’s basically where it ends. The league tries to do everything it can to ensure the safety of individuals and teams and that’s just a natural concern for an individual.”
The All-NBA goaltender is averaging 15.7 points, 8.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds in 10 playoff games this season, leading the Suns to an 8-2 playoff record, including eliminating the champions. reigning NBA Los Angeles Lakers in the first round.
The National Basketball Players Association, of which Paul is the president, publishes the results of the Covid-19 tests every week. The NBPA said on Wednesday that of the 164 players tested for Covid-19 since June 9, “a new player returned a confirmed positive test.”
“Anyone who has returned a confirmed positive test, or who has been identified as having been in close contact with an infected person, is isolated or quarantined until authorized under rules set by the NBA and the Players Association in accordance with CDC guidelines, “the NBPA said.
Williams declined to answer if Paul was fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and whether any players would be considered close contacts, but said the team trained yesterday and had “good” practice today.
“We had a really good workout today, we got up and down, the guys sweat really good. In fact, they’re still there on the floor. Nothing has changed for us,” he said. Williams said.
The Suns swept the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals on Sunday and are waiting for the series winner Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz for a chance to advance to the NBA Finals.
The NBA has not announced the final dates for the Western Conference Finals, but Williams is not yet considering whether or not Paul will be available for Game 1.
“I’m not even going to go until I have to, so there’s no reason for me to be pessimistic at all,” said Williams. “We just have to wait and see what will happen.”
The next update on Paul will be provided on Saturday, the team said.
Williams added: “My faith isn’t going to waver now because we’ve had a few obstacles. We’ve had obstacles throughout the season and we’ve been through a lot. You look forward to those challenges, you embrace them, and you move on.
CNN’s Amir Vera contributed to this report.
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