Advertisement

Doc Rivers says Chris Paul is out, J.J. Redick is likely out against Orlando

Chris Paul watches from the bench in street clothes as the Clippers play Indiana on Wednesday.

Chris Paul watches from the bench in street clothes as the Clippers play Indiana on Wednesday.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Share

The Clippers will likely be missing two starters when they host the Orlando Magic on Saturday.

“Chris [Paul] is out for sure,” Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said before Friday’s practice. “J.J. [Redick] I think will be out, but we’ll see.”

Paul has inflamed rib cartilage, an injury he sustained in the third quarter of Monday’s 102-87 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Paul also missed Wednesday’s 103-91 loss to the Indiana Pacers because of the injury.

Advertisement

Redick sustained a sprained right ankle in the first minute of Wednesday’s game and didn’t return. Rivers said Redick was going to try and “do some stuff” in Friday’s practice, but added that Redick would have to show some major improvement for him to be available Saturday.

“He’s going to have to be really healthy for me to play him,” Rivers said.

Paul is averaging 17 points on 46.1% shooting from the field and 8.3 assists a game. Redick is averaging 13.4 points on 47.8% shooting a game. That means the Clippers are going to be without a combined 30.4 points a game.

“The CP and J.J. dynamic, that takes a lot out of your offense,” Rivers said. “It takes a lot of movement, a lot of shooting, a lot of know-how, a lot of experience -- but there may be a silver lining somehow. Not for them, but for the other guys, maybe learning their way a little faster.”

Advertisement