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Chris Paul looked like his usual self as the Phoenix Suns took back home-court advantage with a 100-92 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4, leveling the series 2-2. The Suns guard finished the contest with 18 points and nine assists. LeBron James led the way for the Lakers with 25 points and 12 rebounds, but the biggest loss for LA was Anthony Davis suffering a groin injury at the end of the first half.
Davis fell to the floor after attempting a diving layup late in the second quarter and was slow to get up. He gingerly went to the locker room as the teams exited for halftime with the Suns leading 54-50. Davis did not return from the locker room and Kyle Kuzma started in his place. The Lakers eventually ruled the big man out of Game 4 with a left groin strain. Davis had already been playing through a knee injury prior to suffering the groin strain.
The Suns took advantage of Davis’ absence, outscoring the Lakers 27-15 in the third quarter. Paul continued to make clutch baskets to give Phoenix a 81-65 advantage entering the final frame.
James turned up the heat in the fourth quarter, leading a late push before triples from Alex Caruso and Marc Gasol cut the deficit to eight. James had a chance to close the gap further, but split a pair of free throws before Jae Crowder buried a 3-pointer to open the lead up to 10 points again to eventually see the Suns home.
Davis’ status is up in the air and groin strains can be a tricky injury. Game 5 is Tuesday in Phoenix at 10:00 PM ET.