NBA Playoffs 2015: LA Clippers Face Houston Rockets, Chris Paul be Ready for Game 1?

By Cheri Cheng - 04 May '15 09:40AM

Chris Paul scored the final two points to get the win for the Los Angeles Clippers against the San Antonio Spurs in a thrilling Game 7 matchup.

Although the Clippers have advanced to round 2 of the Western Conference playoffs, they will now have to rely on someone else other than their point guard. Paul, who suffered from a strained hamstring, will reportedly miss Game 1 of the series.

Paul injured his hamstring after he stole the ball from Spurs Boris Diaw in the first quarter. As he was running down the court, he grabbed his left leg and started to hobble. With just 1:52 left, Paul left the court and headed to the locker room.

"I didn't know, that's why I went to the back," Paul said. "I've hurt my hamstring before, and a couple of times I couldn't come back.''

Paul came back into the game and although it was clear that he was injured, he gave it his all and made the clutch 2-point shot to lift the Clippers over the Spurs, 111-109.

"It's crazy,'' Paul said. "We talked about if we get down into a last-second shot what we wanted to do. We'd been in that situation a lot of times already this year and most of the time I hadn't made it, to tell you the truth. Finally it worked when we needed it.''

"I know he was playing a little hurt, and he played through all that, found ways to get it done. I mean, just an unbelievable last shot over two of us. He's just a great leader, and it was amazing to watch. I wish I wasn't on the other end," Spurs Tim Duncan said.

Arash Markazi with ESPN.com reported that Paul's MRI was negative. During their two days of rest, Paul received around-the-clock treatment. The team will decide on whether or not he will be able to play on the day of the game but the expectation right now is that Paul will be in uniform and at least try.

If Paul does not play, Austin Rivers, the son of Clippers coach Doc Rivers, will get the start.

Game 1 of the Clippers-Rockets series will be on Monday, May 4 at 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT.