Chris Paul Injury: Latest News and Updates on Clippers Star's Injured Hamstring

Chris Paul is oh, so close to coming back for the Los Angeles Clippers…but not yet.

The Lob City star has been nursing a strained left hamstring, and is officially out for Wednesday night’s game against the Dallas Mavericks.

While he still hasn’t been cleared, that doesn’t mean Paul isn’t dying to get back on the floor, according to ESPN NBA insider Ric Bucher.

Update: Friday, Jan. 20 at 3:55 p.m. ET

Dan Barreiro of KFAN tweets that Paul is unlikely to play tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He also adds a little humor (at least I think he's joking).

Paul has been dealing with the injury since pulling it in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 102-94 win over the Lakers. An MRI revealed no major damage, and he was given a day-to-day diagnosis.

The Clippers have been able to manage without him, thanks in large part to having three other solid point guards on the squad (Chauncey Billups, Mo Williams, Eric Bledsoe).

They are currently 1-1 without him going into Wednesday night’s game, with an easy win over the lowly New Jersey Nets and an absolutely embarrassing 29-point loss to the Utah Jazz.

Clearly they need CP3 back soon, but the team isn’t going to rush him back.

Hamstring injuries can be aggravated at any point, and a setback could keep Paul out for a significant amount of time. Judging by the Jazz blowout, that would be devastating for the Clippers.

So far the Clippers have thoroughly enjoyed the CP3 experience. His competitive fire has become contagious, and it’s led the Clippers to one of their best starts in years. Paul’s 18 points, 8.4 assists and three rebounds per game have been the main reason LA is now a top-10 offense.

Have patience, Clipper fans. Don’t root for your star point guard to come back too early. Paul will be back within the next week, and Lop City will continue to dazzle the crowds and provide the franchise possibly its best season of all time.