LOS ANGELES – Clippers guard Chris Paul was scratched from Tuesday night's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center after he aggravated his bruised right kneecap a day earlier in a game at Golden State.
Paul was seen limping through the locker room before the game but declined to talk. He was bumped by the Warriors' Harrison Barnes in Monday's 106-99 loss but stayed in the game and scored just four points in 33 minutes, 28 seconds.
"He's just sore," coach Vinny Del Negro said in a pregame talk. "We have to protect him and look at the big picture."
Paul originally sustained the injury Jan. 12 against the Orlando Magic and sat out three games. He returned Saturday night against the Washington Wizards and finished with 22 points and 11 assists, although Del Negro said he was sore after the game.
Paul will likely undergo an MRI at some point this week.
Del Negro said Eric Bledsoe would get the start at point guard against the Thunder with Jamal Crawford also getting time at the position. Bledsoe had his season high in points subbing for Paul when he totaled 19 against the Houston Rockets on Jan. 15.
The Clippers are 3-0 in Paul's absence.
