Two NBA stars facing major new injury questions as playoffs continue

There is big injury news with two teams still alive for the NBA championship.

The Phoenix Suns' star point guard Chris Paul is out "indefinitely" after entering NBA coronavirus health protocols, according to ESPN and The Athletic.

And multiple media reports indicate that Los Angeles Clippers' star forward Kawhi Leonard will miss tonight's Game 5 game at the Utah Jazz with a right knee injury and could miss the rest of that series.

The Suns are preparing for the Western Conference Finals after sweeping the Denver Nuggets in the Conference Semifinals last week.

According to The Athletic, sources said Paul's status for the next round of games is not clear. The Suns are set to play the team that wins the series between the Jazz and Clippers.

The Suns did not immediately return a request for comment by Scripps station KNXV.

Specifics on the NBA's health protocol for Paul haven't been released.

In March, the NBA relaxed some rules for those who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

"The NBA is relaxing some of its health and safety protocols for individuals who are fully vaccinated, changes including fewer mandated coronavirus tests, no quarantine requirements following contact tracing issues and even the ability to visit restaurants again," an Associated Press report on the NBA site says.

According to the NBA, the Western Conference Finals will begin either Sunday or Tuesday, depending on the length of the Jazz/Clippers series.

Leonard, a former member of the San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors, tweaked his knee at the end of the Clippers' Game 4 win in Los Angeles on Sunday night. He stayed in briefly and then left the game for good.

This story was originally published by Scripps station KNXV in Phoenix.