Report: Suns hopeful CP3 could return for Game 3

The Phoenix Suns are optimistic star point guard Chris Paul will return for Game 3 Thursday against the Los Angeles Clippers, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Dave McMenamin.

The 36-year-old missed the first two games of the Western Conference finals, including Tuesday's Game 2 tilt, after entering the NBA's health and safety protocols on June 16.

Paul, who is vaccinated against COVID-19, is reportedly asymptomatic and isolating near Los Angeles.

The Clippers have also been shorthanded to start the series. All-NBA first-team forward Kawhi Leonard has been sidelined since Game 5 of the conference semifinals due to a knee sprain.