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Crawford: People are going to write Clippers off after Paul injury

Doug Pensinger / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Los Angeles Clippers were dealt a significant blow to their title aspirations Monday when All-Star point guard Chris Paul suffered a fractured right hand during their Game 4 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Paul is likely out for the remainder of the playoffs after accidentally catching his hand on the jersey of Trail Blazers guard Gerald Henderson in the second half, fracturing the third metacarpal.

"Obviously, people are going to write us off," Clippers guard Jamal Crawford told reporters. "What are you going to do, you going to fight or run? For us, we're going back home, and we're ready to take care of business."

Things quickly went from bad to worse for the Clippers during Game 4. Not only did Portland even the series with a win, but Blake Griffin also departed the game after suffering a left quad injury.

"It's tough," Griffin said. "It's not easy dealing with injuries, especially this time of year."

While Paul's injury is significant, head coach Doc Rivers said Griffin's status for Wednesday is 50-50. He's set to be further evaluated Tuesday.

Crawford and the Clippers aren't strangers to adversity - and overcoming it - though. The 36-year-old won the Sixth Man of the Year award this season, thanks in large part to his play during a four month spell when Griffin was sidelined by injury.

"This is a resilient group," Rivers said. "I think we'll be that in Game 5."

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