The LA Clippers consider this season as crucial as it would determine whether the team has reached its ceiling.
They managed to snatch the 4th seed behind the Western juggernauts and with Blake Griffin returning, some pundits believed they could pose a challenge to the Golden State Warriors.
With the recent injury to Stephen Curry which will sideline him for two weeks, perhaps into the semifinals where they will face the winner of the Clippers vs Portland Trail Blazers series, this would have been the Clippers chance to advance.
Instead, Game 4, which they lost to the Blazers, gave them worse news. Chris Paul left the game in the third quarter with an apparent injury to his hand. It was confirmed to be a fracture, and Paul did not return to the game which they lost, and now the series is dead even at 2-2. ESPN reported the details.
"Paul will be re-evaluated Tuesday in Los Angeles, but team sources indicated that surgery will likely be needed and that the normal recovery time for the injury is anywhere from three to six weeks," ESPN's Arash Markazi reported. "Barring a better prognosis from new X-rays after swelling has subsided, Paul is unlikely to return this season."
Now, the Clippers can't even look towards the next series. The Blazers have suddenly become more competitive, winning the last two games. The Clippers will have to face them without Chris Paul, and maybe even Blake Griffin.
Griffin was pulled out at the 5:48 mark, shortly after Chris Paul left. He is listed as "50-50" for the next game at Staples.
The hard truth is that even if the Clippers beat the Blazers, a collision course with the Warriors without CP3 would be a daunting task, Curry's possible absence notwithstanding.
What are their chances? In the LA Times, Portland head coach Terry Stotts was quoted,"They're a different team without him."
Doc Rivers already stated that their lineup could become "stale" and in this year, their team is on the edge. He also named the Memphis Grizzlies and OKC Thunder with this predicament.
With all the trade rumors surrounding Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and even newly signed DeAndre Jordan, it could be explored again this summer, if they get their expected early exit.
Rivers would understand that injuries are part of the game, and their misfortune is not his players' fault, but Paul's prime years are fading and his alliance with Griffin, Jordan and this group may not be able to win it all.