Clippers’ Chris Paul calls Game 4 against Thunder a must win

In Chris Paul’s eyes, Game 4 on Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder carries the utmost importance for his Clippers.

“It’s a must win for us, a big game for us,” Paul said late Friday night after the Clippers lost Game 3 at Staples Center to the Thunder, 118-112.

The Clippers trail the Thunder in the best-of-seven Western Conference playoff series, two games to one.

If the Clippers don’t win Game 4 on Sunday at Staples Center, they’ll return to Oklahoma City for Game 5 on Tuesday with their season on the brink.

That’s why Paul called it a must-win game on Sunday.

The Clippers won Game 1 in Oklahoma City on Monday, but they have lost the last two playoff games to the Thunder.

“We knew that we were going to have to win at least one there and now we’re going to have to win two there,” Paul said. “But we need to start off with a Game 4 win here at home.”