Chris Paul out 6-8 weeks: What the Point God's absence means for the Phoenix Suns

What does NBA All-Star guard Chris Paul's thumb injury mean for the Phoenix Suns' title chances?

Just before Sunday's NBA All-Star Game, the Suns shared that an MRI revealed Paul suffered an avulsion fracture of his right thumb during Wednesday's win over the LA Clippers. After playing token minutes on Sunday, Paul will be sidelined at least six to eight weeks before being reevaluated.

The timing of the injury puts the rest of Paul's regular season in jeopardy. We're seven weeks away from the final day of the season, and the start of the playoffs is less than eight weeks away.

Although Phoenix's 6.5-game lead over the Golden State Warriors for the top spot in the Western Conference and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs should be safe, Paul may not return until the start of the playoffs, or even after they've begun.

How will the Suns handle Paul's absence the rest of the regular season? And what can we expect from Paul when he's able to return? Let's break down the impact of the injury.

Since joining the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019, Paul has been remarkably durable. He's missed just four regular-season games since then and has played all 58 for the Suns so far in 2021-22. Yet we have seen Phoenix come through without him in a key spot when Paul missed the first two games of last year's Western Conference finals after testing positive for COVID-19. The Suns won both games at home to take a 2-0 lead on the Clippers in a series they ultimately won 4-2.

Backup point guard Cameron Payne delivered in a big way in Paul's absence last year, combining for 40 points and 18 assists in the two starts. Phoenix will have to hope Payne can return after the All-Star break, having not played since Jan. 22 because of a wrist