Chris Paul injured against Bucks, leaves game early
By Keith Rivas
With Chris Paul injured, the Clippers’ night in Milwaukee just gets worse.
The Clippers weren’t clicking on all cylinders from the get-go against the Bucks. During the first half, they failed to reach 50 points, having to settle for 47.
Milwaukee, on the other hand, had their way early on. The Bucks led by 19 points at halftime, and don’t seem to be holding back for the second half of the season.
Unfortunately, point guard Chris Paul appeared to suffer another injury.
Marc Spears of ESPN tweeted about the incident as it happened.
Clippers' Chris Paul asks to come out and leaves game in Milwaukee holding left wrist.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) March 4, 2017
Another injury to Paul is the last thing the Clippers need. It held the team back from success in their previous post-season appearance, and could haunt them again this time around.
A wrist injury is never a good sign, especially if it’s your star player. Solid handles and effective ball movement are a crucial part of Paul’s game — hard, if not impossible, to do with a messed up wrist.
Paul was just medically cleared to return to play after healing from an earlier injury.
With regard to the playoff picture, it couldn’t come at a worse time for the Clippers. Obviously, the team is going to be optimistic that the left wrist won’t be a long-term issue.
Los Angeles is in the thick of things in the Western Conference, as only two games separate the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh seeds.
Utah, Memphis, and Oklahoma City all are vying for playoff position and potential home court advantage.
Given that those teams play different styles of basketball compared to the Clippers, it’s imperative now more than ever that the team not implode.
Doc Rivers must keep everything tightly knit if they are to truly contend this season.
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They’re running out of time, and won’t be able to get it back soon.