LA Clippers Injury News: Chris Paul Leaves Game with Rib Strain
The Los Angeles Clippers are back in their winning ways after defeating the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night to climb back to 10-8. However, All-Star point guard Chris Paul couldn't finish the game after suffering from a rib muscle strain.
The 30-year-old playmaker was ruled out for the rest of the game after leaving in the third quarter. Although he also missed three games early this season because of a strained groin, there is no official word that both injuries are connected.
The Clippers are a disappointed team right now. After getting center DeAndre Jordan back in an offseason free agent fiasco, expectations were high, with mostly everyone in the lineup healthy and available. But with several losses in games where they were expected to win and a record that's barely above .500, missing their starting point guard is definitely a big blow to their campaign.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
In case Paul is going to miss several games, LA will have to rely on pass-first backup point guard Austin Rivers and shoot-first guard Jamal Crawford to fill in, but everyone knows either of the two comes with the leadership and on-court vision of the veteran Paul.
Paul is already in his 11th season in the league and has suffered a fair share of injuries along the way. He is currently averaging over 17 points a game and almost 9 assists. He's been the team's court leader ever since he was brought here, but so far, the farthest the Clippers could reach with him manning the point is the Western Conference Finals.
Team officials haven't released any statement so far as to when the point guard can return. It can either be on Wednesday's game against the Indiana Pacers or perhaps a couple of weeks from now. No doubt the team suffers when Paul is out, especially on the offensive end, where the team is being outscored by opponents whenever Rivers or Crawford is out there distributing the basketball.
