Chris Paul to Miss 1st Game vs. Clippers Since Trade with Adductor Injury

Houston Rockets point guard Chris Paul won't play against the Los Angeles Clippers, one of his former teams, on Friday night because of a strained left adductor.

On Thursday, Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com passed along comments from Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni about Paul's status.  

"I think he's day-to-day, but we're going to be real cautious with it, I'm sure," D'Antoni said.

Houston acquired the nine-time All-Star from L.A. in June as part of a blockbuster trade that featured Patrick Beverley, a first-round draft pick and other assets heading to the Clippers.

Paul has played well alongside James Harden when healthy. He's averaging 17.1 points, 9.0 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals while shooting 40.8 percent from three-point range in 16 games. He missed almost a month of action because of a knee injury, though.

After making his return last month, he told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle it wasn't hard to get acclimated in D'Antoni's system given the team's offensive weapons.

"I never played with three guys around the three-point line, just spacing the court," Paul said. "I know I can shoot it. I know I can score and stuff like that. I don't have to. I've just always been a guy that takes what the defense gives me. If you're off me, I'm a shooter. If there's two guys on me, I'm going to find the open guy."

He added: "I'm having a lot of fun. I love it."

Injuries are a concern with the 32-year-old Wake Forest product. He played all 82 regular-season games with the Clippers during the 2014-15 season, but that number dropped to 74 two years ago and 61 last season, his final one with L.A.

Harden should take on more ball-handling duties during Paul's latest absence, while Eric Gordon will take a spot in the starting five. Bobby Brown and Demetrius Jackson could also get a little more playing time at the point.