Houston, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Clippers head coach Doc Rivers has ruled out Chris Paul for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Houston Rockets.
The All-Star point guard gamely fought through a hamstring injury in Game 7 against the Spurs on Saturday and banked in the game-winning runner over Tim Duncan.
The injury forced Paul back into the locker room in the first quarter of Saturday's game and his status was uncertain until he returned just before halftime.
He was clearly in pain the rest of the way but stayed in and hit 9-of-13 from the floor for 27 points, none bigger than those unforgettable two just before the buzzer.
Paul, 29, led the NBA in assists in the regular season and totaled 19.1 points and 10.2 assists while playing all 82 games for the first time in his career.
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