In the Suns’ 112-97 Game 5 win over the Pelicans on Tuesday, did point guard Chris Paul commit a low blow to Pelicans youngster Jose Alvarado?
With 4:36 justify before halftime, Paul seemed to kick Alvarado in the crotch as he pulled up for a jumper near the free-throw line.
During the play, when the Suns led 46-35 in the second quarter, Alvarado was hounding Paul on defence.
In social media videos, Paul appears to jerk his leg up in the air, colliding with Alvarado, who then bends over and grabs his belly.
Although there was no call on the play, social media critics are asking whether Paul did it on
Pretty clear nutkick by CP3 on Alvarado here. Wonder if the league office will have something to say about it tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/yYjc2RecQS
— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) April 27, 2022
When the Suns were down by 16 points late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 118-103 Pelicans Game 4 triumph, Alvarado pulled off his signature sneaky steal on Paul from behind.
“I nabbed him. Alvarado, who had irritated Paul throughout the series, exclaimed, “I got him.” “That’s something I’d like to do, so I put him on my list.”
The Suns-Pelicans series has been edgy throughout, with the Western Conference favourites being pushed to their limits by No. 8-seeded New Orleans.
Several Pelicans players have clashed with Paul, notably Brandon Ingram and youngster Herb Jones, who got into an altercation with Paul in Game 4.
