Skip to content

Chris Paul feeling good, will start Game 4 vs. Rockets

Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Things continue to look up for the Los Angeles Clippers.

After getting Chris Paul back in a resounding Game 3 victory over the Houston Rockets on Friday, the superstar point guard was no worse for wear on Saturday.

"There's no speculation, probable or questionable," Paul told reporters on Saturday. "I'm playing tomorrow."

Head coach Doc Rivers sounded equally optimistic, saying Paul felt better on Saturday than he did on Friday, when he was on a minutes restriction in his return after four days off.

That minutes restriction and the surprising play of reserve guard Austin Rivers in a 25-point Game 3 victory allowed Paul ample time to rest his ailing hamstring, as CP3 logged only 23 minutes on Friday.

That the Clippers have managed to win two of three games - including one in Houston - to start a series where Paul has sat for two-and-a-half games puts the team in prime position to advance to the franchise's first Western Conference final.

If Paul is taken at his word and is starting to inch towards 100 percent after straining his left hamstring in a Game 7 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, the Rockets' opportunity to pounce may have already passed them by.

Paul is averaging 21.4 points, 7.8 assists, 4.4 rebounds and two steals on a true shooting percentage of 62.1 through eight postseason appearances in the Clippers' first 10 games.

Los Angeles performed nearly 21 points per 100 possessions better with Paul on the court during the regular season as opposed to on the bench.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox