Chris Paul sits in locker room after loss to Memphis, studying last play

After the Clippers lost to the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, Chris Paul sat by his locker in the corner of the room instead of showering.

With a tablet device on his lap, he studied the final play of the game.

The Clippers had scored a quick five points to nearly erase a six-point deficit with less than two minutes remaining behind a three-pointer from J.J. Redick and a jumper by Paul. With the Clippers trailing by one point, 88-87, and only a few seconds left, Paul had the ball in his hands.

As the point guard dribbled the ball across the half-court line, Mike Conley stole it from him with 1.9 seconds left. The Clippers immediately fouled Conley, and he went on to make both free throws to give the Grizzlies a 90-87 victory.

Paul was disappointed in himself even though he had led the Clippers with 30 points and 10 assists, the only player on his team to score in double-figures besides Jamal Crawford, who had 15 points.

As he stared at his tablet, Paul later told reporters that he was perseverating over that last play, pondering what he could have done better.

“The last play, just turned the ball over,” Paul said. “All I could think about was just if I was at home watching this game, I’d say this dummy didn’t even get a shot up. In that situation, you’ve at least got to give yourself a chance.”

Paul’s teammates weren’t as hard on him.

“We all live and die with Chris and Blake [Griffin] at the end of games,” DeAndre Jordan said. “It was tough because he played well the entire game and [that was] one play.”

Jordan added that had it not been for Paul, the Clippers wouldn’t have even had a chance.

“Without Chris,” Jordan said, “we’re not in this game down the stretch. So you have to give him credit for that.”

Paul acknowledged that even though he played well for the majority of the game, it’s hard not to concentrate on its disappointing ending.

“You play the whole game to get in those situations,” he said. “I just try to thrive in those situations and for that to happen is tough. Look at it, learn from it, try to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Lucky enough for Paul, the Clippers leave for a four-game trip Tuesday that includes a stop at Memphis on Friday.