Chris Paul no longer on restricted minutes for Clippers during postseason run
Chris Paul is no longer playing on restricted minutes for the Clippers.
Paul has played three games since returning from a strained left hamstring, and he played the most minutes -- 35 -- in the Clippers' 124-103 Game 5 loss against the Rockets since sustaining the injury.
Doc Rivers is still concerned over Paul's hamstring and the chance of re-injuring it, but Paul won't be on a minutes restriction like he was in Games 3 and 4.
"I always worry because you're one step away," Rivers said on a conference call Tuesday. "There is no minute restriction, per se. I didn't like how he played or any of us played. I thought we played with no pace, basically the entire game. We didn't start our offense until 10-12 seconds. They owned our space all night. I didn't like anything we did on offense. We have to improve that."
Paul made 9 of 16 shots and scored 22 points.
The Clippers lead the series 3-2 an can close out the series with Game 6 Thursday in Los Angeles or Game 7 Sunday in Houston.
Austin Rivers bruised his right hip on a drive to the basket in Game 5, and he fell hard to the court. The Clippers were off on Tuesday, so Rivers didn't have an update from the training staff.
#Clippers don't look like themselves in 21-point Game 5 loss to #Rockets, writes @JillPainter. http://t.co/6KXkmUwHJN pic.twitter.com/luZFP5GEAx
— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) May 13, 2015
"(Athletic trainer Jasen Powell) told me he was more concerned about today than yesterday," Doc Rivers said.
There was no update on Matt Barnes, who already was playing through a shoulder injury and tweaked his ankle in Game 5. Doc Rivers said he didn't think it was anything serious.
Glen "Big Baby" Davis played just six scoreless minutes in Game 5 and is still being bothered by an ankle injury.
