Another injury problem plague Los Angeles Clippers. After missing Blake Griffin for 3-6 weeks due to his knee surgery, this time Chris Paul and J.J. Reddick because of hamstring injury.
Initially Paul was cleared to play on Christmas game against Los Angeles Lakers. But during the pre-game warm-ups, he still felt uncomfortable in his left hamstring as reported by ESPN. Subsequently, coach Doc Rivers decided to let him sit on the sideline in the game as the Lakers defeated the Clippers 111-102.
Shooting guards J.J. Reddick led the score with 22 points along with Jamal Crawford. However he must sit out in the fourth quarter with the sore hamstring according to report from Bleacher Report.
The next day, they hosted Denver Nuggets without Griffin, Paul and Reddick. Denver made use of the hole in the Clippers defense to win 106-102 and handed the 11th defeat for Clippers.
Paul was injured his hamstring in the 106-101 victory over San Antonio Spurs on Thursday, Dec. 22. He suffered a strain in his left hamstring in the third quarter and did not return to the game. Later on, the problem sidelined him for two more games.
The Clippers have already been without main forward Griffin due to his knee problem which require surgery that made him to be out for 3-6 weeks. Now they have more trouble by losing both main point guard and shooting guard. Coach Rivers has options to play his son Austin Rivers in point guard, but he has no suitable substitute for Reddick.
Next three games will be an ultimate challenge and a big headache for coach Rivers. They will go in an away game against New Orleans Pelicans, Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder. Playing against those teams without their star players in both front court and back court is a daunting task for coach Rivers.
Watch the highlight of the Monday night game between Denver Nuggets and LA Clippers, as the Nuggets tear down the Clippers defense below: