Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul was assessed a flagrant 1 on Thursday by the NBA after reviewing a play in the second quarter of Game 5 against the New Orleans Pelicans.
On the play, Paul came around a screen from Deandre Ayton and rose for his patented elbow jump shot, while Pelicans’ Jose Alvarado came around the screen to contest the shot without jumping.
While in the air, Paul’s right leg lurched into Alvarado below the waist line, causing the Pelicans guard to keel over in pain.
The Suns guard missed the shot on an airball and there was no foul called on the play during the game.
Paul and Alvarado have been going at it all series long.
Pelicans head coach Willie Green has inserted Alvarado into the lineup to pester Paul for the length of the floor as the Suns bring the ball up court.
Alvarado has attempted multiple times to hide in the back court and sneak behind Paul to steal the ball. In Games 4 and 5, Alvarado’s defense caused a Suns turnover by earning an eight-second violation for not getting the ball across the halfcourt line.
Alvarado has compared his playing style to that of Minnesota Timberwolves guard Patrick Beverley.
The Suns tip off against the Pelicans at Smoothie King Center in Game 6 on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.