Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul had to take a seat earlier than expected in a loss against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.
Paul fouled out in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals with 8:58 remaining in the fourth quarter after making slight contact with Mavs guard Jalen Brunson on a putback attempt.
Foul trouble hindered Phoenix throughout the game, while Dallas’ sharp shooting carried it to a 111-101 victory.
The series is even at 2-2 heading back to Phoenix.
Paul committed his fifth foul with 9:32 remaining in the third quarter and returned to the game for only 1:30.
He attempted to goat Brunson into fouling him as he took the ball up by stopping his momentum and letting the Dallas guard crash into him.
The officials called an offensive foul on Paul, which Suns head coach Monty Williams unsuccessfully challenged.
Paul’s fourth foul came in the final moments of the first half, as he attempted to rebound his own miss and bumped Mavs guard Luka Doncic.
The 37-year-old had a night to forget in Game 3 when he committed seven turnovers, and his foul trouble kept him off the floor when the Suns looked to come back early in the second half on Sunday.
Dallas led 89-83 at halftime, but Phoenix cut the deficit to seven before Paul’s offensive foul.
Paul had five points and seven assists on Sunday.
Several Suns found themselves in foul trouble Sunday, with forwards Jae Crowder and Mikal Bridges picking up their fourth fouls each in the third quarter.
Backup center JaVale McGee committed his fourth foul with 10:52 remaining in the game.
Dallas, meanwhile, hit 20 three-pointers on Sunday.
Game 5 is set for Tuesday night at Footprint Center.
The action starts at 7 p.m. You can tune in on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.