The first round of the NBA playoffs has claimed another superstar.
During the second half of the Los Angeles Clippers’ Game 4 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, Chris Paul exited after getting his hand caught in a jersey with what turned out to be a fractured right hand. He will most definitely need to miss some time and, according to ESPN.com’s J.A. Adande, may not return at all this season:
A source said Chris Paul is “most likely” out for the rest of the playoffs because of the broken bone in his right hand. It’s possible there could be a better prognosis after more X-Rays once the swelling goes down.
Dan Woike of the Orange County Register backed up these findings:
Chris Paul "probably" is done for the rest of the playoffs though the team will know more tomorrow, per a source.
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) April 26, 2016
Put a nail in the Clippers’ postseason coffin. They are done. It wasn’t a given that they would make it past the could-be Stephen Curry-less Golden State Warriors in Round 2. They most certainly aren’t going to do it without the Paul, the heart and soul of their offense.
If the Warriors really don’t welcome back Curry during the second round—they may not need to now with Paul out–it’s possible the CP3-less Clippers could still grind out a victory following a long seven-game slog. But that’s 1) assuming Blake Griffin (quad) and J.J. Redick (heel) get healthy themselves and 2) only if they even make it to the second round.
The Blazers notched this best-of-seven set up at two games apiece on Monday night. If Griffin is forced to miss any time along with Paul, they become the favorites to advanced into the second round.
No matter how you slice this, the Clippers are screwed, their playoff campaign yet again destined to end without a Western Conference Finals appearance.
