Chris Paul fractured his right hand last night and now the NBA playoffs are completely up in the air. The same day we learned Steph Curry will miss at least 2 weeks with a sprained MCL, Paul may now have to miss the remainder of the playoffs. Injuries are such a nasty reminder that things can change in one second in pro sports.
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Paul suffered the fracture while trying to make a defensive play on Gerald Henderson about mid way through the third quarter. Paul’s fracture was in the third metacarpal, in the center of the palm of his right (shooting) hand. After the game, Clipper coach Doc Rivers said “It doesn’t look good for him.”
Chris Paul (right hand) will not return in Game 4. https://t.co/6aI3kMF69V
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 26, 2016
Paul will be re-evaluated Tuesday in Los Angeles, but team sources indicated that surgery will likely be needed and that the normal recovery time for the injury is anywhere from three to six weeks. Barring a better prognosis from new X-rays after swelling has subsided, Paul is unlikely to return this season.
This is obviously a crushing blow to the Clippers championship aspirations. Should they be able to get by the Blazers this round, which at this point is up in the air itself, they will run into a Warriors team that likely will miss Steph Curry for a few games. If the Clippers don’t have Paul, they won’t beat Golden State even without Curry.
Paul knew the injury was a big deal right away and his frustration showed as he walked back to the locker room
Teams like the Cavs and Thunder will certainly have no sympathy for the Clippers & Warriors considering their own playoff related injuries the past few seasons but it certainly deflates the playoffs overall when such important players are affected by injuries.