Doc Rivers: Redick, Paul unlikely to play vs. Warriors

For those looking for the latest chapter in the budding Warriors-Clippers rivalry: you're out of luck.

Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers told Melissa Rohlin of the Los Angeles Times that both Chris Paul (strained right groin) and J.J. Redick (back spasms) are unlikely to play in Thursday's featured game.

"I would say neither are probable, but we'll see," Rivers said.

Paul strained his groin during the Clippers' loss to Golden State in their fifth game of the season. The injury forced him to sit out several crucial plays and Paul's glazed look of infinite sadness on the bench inspired something of a meme.

Paul has been in and out of the lineup since sustaining the injury. He returned for a brief two-game stretch last week, but he shot an uncharacteristic 6-of-21 from the floor, which likely prompted him to sit out the team's last two games.

Redick, on the other hand, missed the team's last two games due to back spasms. Injuries aside, the 31-year-old shooting guard looks as sharp as ever, as he's averaging 14.8 points per game, while shooting 52.6 percent from the floor, 44.4 percent from deep, and 95.2 percent from the line.

The absence of his second and third leading scorers forced Rivers to get creative with his lineups. He's tried Lance Stephenson, Austin Rivers, Pablo Prigioni, and Jamal Crawford with the starters in the wake of Paul and Redick's injuries, but has yet to find an effective, nor reliable combination.

With Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson on the docket for Thursday's game, things won't get any easier for the depleted Clippers. But knowing Rivers, he'll probably spin it as another lucky break for the Warriors.