Rockets’ Chris Paul to miss Game 7 against Warriors

The Rockets will be without Chris Paul for Game 7 of the Western Conference finals, Houston coach Mike D’Antoni said before the game.

Paul, who strained his right hamstring in the final minute of Game 5, lacked explosiveness off the leg in a very limited on-court workout earlier Monday, sealing his fate.

“There was no way,” D’Antoni said.

Paul averaged 19.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists in five games during his first trip to the conference finals in his career.

If the Rockets advance, D’Antoni said he’s given no thought to Paul’s availability.

“I’m just worried about today,” he said.

Since sustaining the injury, Paul had received near round-the-clock treatment with the hopes that he’d be available Monday night against the Warriors, but the chances of him playing were always slim, D’Antoni said.

The Warriors will not be at full strength either, with forward Andre Iguodala missing his fourth consecutive game with a bruised bone in his left leg.

Houston hosts Golden State at 6 p.m. PDT.

Irving has nasal surgery

Celtics general manager Danny Ainge said point guard Kyrie Irving was unable to attend Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals because he was recovering from nasal surgery.

Ainge said on Monday that Irving had a deviated septum. The injury occurred in November when he was hit in the face by teammate Aron Baynes. Irving wore a mask while healing from the facial fracture.

Irving has not played since March because of a knee injury. But his absence on the Boston bench was noted when the Celtics played his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Ainge joked: “I don’t think he wanted to be seen in public and ruin his movie career.”

UPDATES:

4:30 p.m.: This report has been updated with news Chris Paul will not play in Game 7.

This report was originally published at 1:30 p.m.