Chris Paul overcame the left hamstring injury he suffered Saturday to defeat the San Antonio Spurs, but it will sideline him for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals Monday night against the Houston Rockets.
Paul was initially listed as questionable for the contest, 48 hours after he buried the Spurs with a game-winning, one-legged floater in Game 7 of their first-round series.
Earlier Monday, ESPN's Arash Markazi reported that Paul did not participate in shootaround, and posted a video that showed the point guard walking gingerly.
The Clippers knew not having Paul for Game 1 in Houston was a distinct possibility, with coach Doc Rivers saying Saturday that "someone is going to have to step up."
Doc Rivers said Chris Paul would play if it was Game 7 but he wanted to be more cautious with the short turnaround for Game 1.
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) May 5, 2015
Given the performance Paul put on while playing through the injury, it's assumed he will play at some point in the series. If he has to miss time, better it be Game 1 and give him a chance to further rest the leg. Still, the Point God was understandably not happy about being kept out of the lineup Monday.
Chris Paul tried to talk his way into lineup tonight, Doc said, "I wasn’t going to listen. It didn’t matter."
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) May 5, 2015
"I don’t want to see what you have," Rivers said he told Paul. "Because if you’re wrong, then you’re gone for the series and it’s just not worth the risk."
Rivers said he is confident Paul will play, but was unsure about Game 2, which goes on Wednesday. Not having Paul is disastrous for the Clippers - not just for losing all he brings at the point, but for further exposing their lack of depth.
Rivers will now give the keys to the Ferrari to his son Austin and start him in Paul's place. Jamal Crawford, the only player off the Clippers bench who plays substantial minutes, should get even more run. Guard Lester Hudson could also see more time with Paul out.
