Fansided

Chris Paul (hamstring) out in Game 1 vs. Rockets

By Sam Richmond

May 2, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills (8) guards Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) in the first half of game seven of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills (8) guards Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) in the first half of game seven of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Los Angeles Clippers will be without Chris Paul in Game 1 of their second-round series against the Houston Rockets. 

Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers has announced that Chris Paul will not play in Game 1 of the team’s second-round series against the Houston Rockets due to a hamstring injury.

Paul came down with the injury in the first quarter in Game 7 of the Clippers’ first-round series against the San Antonio Spurs.  The star point guard was able to return in the game and heroically lead Los Angeles to victory.

Rivers said the risk of Paul re-injuring himself was the reasoning behind the decision to sit the point guard.

"Rivers: “I just don’t think he’s healthy enough to play. I guess in a Game 7 he could play but I don’t think the risk is worth it.” — Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) May 5, 2015"

The Clippers are in real trouble for Monday night’s game.

Winning this game would have been a difficult task for the Clippers even if Paul was available. Los Angeles is just two days removed from finishing off the Spurs in a grueling seven-game series while the Rockets have been resting since defeating the Dallas Mavericks in five games on April 28. Also, the Rockets went 30-11 at home in the regular season and the game’s in Houston.

Without Paul, it’s hard to give them any chance at all of pulling off the upset.

While Rivers made clear the obvious that Paul will play in this series, the all-star’s status for Game 2 remains unclear.

"Rivers said he expects Paul to play during this series, just not tonight. — Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) May 5, 2015"

"Rivers said he wasn’t sure if Paul would be available for Game 2. — Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) May 5, 2015"

Los Angeles better hope Paul is able to be ready for Game 2 or they could be in trouble in this series very quickly. Paul’s the leader and the backbone of the Clippers and they need him back as soon as possible to have a shot.

More from Los Angeles Clippers

Home/Los Angeles Clippers