Chris Paul says injury won't keep him out of playoff opener

[mkwest]

Chris Paul says injury won't keep him out of Clippers playoff opener

Either Saturday or Sunday, the Clippers will start the playoffs and no matter what, Chris Paul said he will play.

Paul sat out the Clippers' game Wednesday night against the New York Knicks because of a mild left groin strain.

The Clippers will play the Memphis Grizzlies in a Western Conference first-round playoff series this weekend.

"Yeah, I'll be OK," Paul said.

Paul could get an extra day to rest and treat his injury if the playoff series begins on Sunday.

"Yeah, I'll be fine," Paul said. "I'll be good."

So will he be playing for sure?

"No question," Paul responded.

Del Negro said it was important to rest Paul so that he can be ready for the playoffs, even if it meant giving up the home-court advantage.

"The most important thing is to be smart about it, look at the big picture," Del Negro said. "Chris needs to be healthy, whether we're home or away, so that he can play at a high level for us. If he had played tonight and irritated it or there was some swelling or maybe it got worse and then we play Saturday or Sunday and it's a quick turnaround, I didn't think it was worth the risk."

Brad Turner, LA Times

[ejftw]

Great news...I just want to know when our first game is!

[mkwest]

The schedule is so spread out (only 3 games in the first week), so he'll be straight.

I really want to steal game 1. If we can do that, then I like our chances. If you steal game 2, you still have homecourt on your side, but it's hard for any team to win 3 in a row in a legitimate playoff series.

[thanumba2clippersfan]

We don't play until Sunday evening so he will be fine. In my mind I always had Chris Paul being ready for the playoff opener.