NBA Rumors: Chris Paul officially out for Game 6 vs. Warriors
NBA Rumors: Chris Paul has officially been ruled out for Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors
If the Houston Rockets are going to punch their ticket to the NBA Final s in Game 6 against the Golden State Warriors, they’re going to have to do it without Chris Paul available.
The Rockets officially announced Paul out for Game 6 (at least, possibly further) due to a hamstring strain that he suffered in the waning moments of Game 5.
Paul finished Game 5 with 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Even though he only shot 6-19 from the field, a number of those made baskets were huge, momentum-shifting points.
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In the last two games, Paul has been the best player on the floor for the Rockets and has somewhat been the team’s saving grace as James Harden continues to struggle from the field – he’s missed his last 20 3-point attempts stretching back to Game 4.
Even though that likely won’t last, Harden is going to have to go off against the Warriors in Game 6 in order for the Rockets to even have a chance of closing out the series. In Paul’s absence, it’s expected that Eric Gordon will assume the role of playmaker next to James Harden.
Even though Gordon has played in that position before, it’s going to be interesting to see how the team as a whole reacts to Paul’s absence.
Sure, the Rockets may be one win away from their first NBA Finals appearance since the 1994-95 NBA season, but this is going to be their toughest test of all-time. Houston has two chances – one on its homecourt – to close out possibly the best team ever assembled in NBA history.
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On top of that, they might have to do it without Chris Paul. Certainly for Game 6, possibly for Game 7 too.