Although the Rockets took a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference Finals against the Warriors on Thursday night, the health of Chris Paul is a cause for concern heading into Game 6. Paul suffered an apparent hamstring injury during the final minute of Game 5, and will be re-evaluated after undergoing an MRI on Friday, writes Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com.
A team source tells Shelburne that Paul felt “a twinge” in the hamstring when he landed after shooting a jumper on one of Houston’s final possessions, and was still “really sore” after the game. While CP3 didn’t speak to reporters during the postgame presser, Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni said that his point guard is “worried” about his hamstring and his status for the rest of the series, as Sam Amick of USA Today details.
“They’ll do whatever they can do,” D’Antoni said. “If he’s there, great, good for him. If he isn’t, we have enough guys, and it’s time for somebody else to step up. We got plenty of guys over there that will have some fresh legs. That’s for sure.”
Paul played a key role in the Rockets’ Thursday night win, and if he’s unable to play in Game 6 and a potential Game 7, Houston’s odds of knocking off the defending champions would decline significantly. It would also be a brutal turn of events for the 13-year veteran, who finds himself one win away from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time in his career.
We’ll wait for an official update on Paul’s health, but for what it’s worth, the 33-year-old remained optimistic as he left the arena on Thursday night. Caught by Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated (Twitter link) as he hopped into a car outside the Toyota Center, CP3 said he’ll “be all right” and expressed hope that he’ll be ready for Game 6.
Luc time!
If CP3 can’t play, that might inspire James Harden to play some good basketball again. Either way, Rockets aren’t doomed
The rockets lost every game where Harden dominated the offense. They can’t win that way.
If he is injured I think it is the end, just bc Paul is the one keeping them in the series by not letting the team quit especially harden. I think otherwise I see harden doing the same thing as last year, giving up.
Don’t remember exactly … but I don’t think he injured himself on a ‘jumper’ … think it may have been on a ‘twisty, dippity-horseclod’ shot which was probably unnecessary…
“Twisty dippity horseclod shot” is my new favorite basketball phrase of 2018
I hope it’s not serious. After KD threw away the last shot to Klay, and how Steph threw away the last shot to Draymond, I don’t want to see these Warriors play anymore. Your two MVPs have the ball in their hand for the last shot of the game and both of them passed it. I’d rather see hungry guys like CP3 and Harden play in the Finals. If CP is hurt and the Warriors get by, that’s a travesty. They are the worse basketball team.
Real shame always liked CP3, specially when he was in Nolans I thought he was the best PG I have ever seen, so I hope he recovers & makes it with Houston to the finals, he most definitely deserves it… I hate when players get labelled as losers, many legends have never won, like Stockton, Malone, Barkley, Iverson, Ewing, T-Mac… is not easy to win & many don’t, but this doesn’t take away their greatness. Get well soon CP3