Clippers’ Chris Paul talks about ‘tricky’ injury after Game 3 return

Clippers superstar point guard Chris Paul played in Game 3 against the Houston Rockets on Friday after missing Games 1 and 2 of the second-round playoff series because of a strained left hamstring.

After his first game in a week, Paul said he was doing well.

“I’m cool, I’m good, I’ll be ready for tomorrow,” Paul said. “No speculation, probable, questionable: I’m playing [Sunday].”

Paul finished with 12 points on five-for-12 shooting, seven assists and one turnovers in 23 minutes of play in the Clippers’ 124-99 win.

Asked if he was happy with his performance Friday, Paul didn’t hesitate.

“Yeah, we won,” Paul said. “When you get to the playoffs, it’s not about how well you shot it or didn’t, or the turnovers. As long as you win, that’s all that matters.”

The Clippers have a 2-1 lead over the Rockets in their best-of-seven playoff series. Game 4 will be Sunday at Staples Center at 5:30 p.m. PDT.

Paul hurt his hamstring in the first quarter of Game 7 of the Clippers’ first-round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs. Paul went on to score 27 points, including the game-winning shot with one second, in the Clippers’ 111-109 win.

Clippers Coach Doc Rivers noted that hamstring strains are difficult to recover from and said Paul will probably be dealing with the injury until after the playoffs are over and he can rest for an extended period of time.

“I don’t know if you get out of the woods on that,” Rivers said. “I think he’s in the woods through this, I don’t think it ever goes away until the off-season.”

Paul acknowledged that the injury limits him at certain moments, though he said it isn’t going to hold him back.

“It’s tricky because obviously at times you want to do this or do that, but luckily I sort of know how to manage it and get through,” Paul said.

Paul said he hated missing the first two games of the series, but added that at least he learned something very important.

“I realized even further now that I won’t coach, that I can’t coach, because it’s a lot more nerve-racking sitting on the bench than playing,” Paul said. “You got a lot more control when you’re playing.”