In what has become his typical way of dealing with an injury, Clippers point guard Chris Paul said Wednesday that his right hamstring injury wasn’t an issue.
Paul assured reporters that he will play when the Clippers meet the Golden State Warriors in Game 3 of the Western Conference first-round playoff series Thursday night in Oakland. The best-of-seven series is tied at 1-1.
“I’ll be ready,” Paul said. “I’ll be ready.”
Paul didn’t practice Tuesday, and Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said he wouldn't practice Wednesday either.
“I’m good,” Paul said. “As long as I’m out on the court, I’m OK.”
Paul not only has to run the team, but he also has the tall task of defending Warriors all-star point guard Stephen Curry.
Paul has so far done a very good job of guarding Curry, holding him to 19 points per game in the first two games on 45.5% shooting, 23.1% on three-pointers (three-for-13).
It took a 20-point third quarter by Curry in Game 2 to bring his average up against the harassing Paul. However, that outburst was during a third quarter in which the Clippers led by as much as 33 points.
“I didn’t really shut him down. You saw that third quarter when he got loose,” Paul said. “You just got to try to stay on his body as much as possible. He’s a great scorer, a great shooter. You just got to try to limit his touches and try to make it as tough as possible.”
Paul talked to the media before the team practiced Wednesday; he then sat down on the training table and watched.
“We’re not going to do anything with him,” Rivers said. “There will be zero contact for Chris. He’ll watch film.”
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