Chris Paul and Blake Griffin Injured in Game 5 Loss vs. Grizzlies
The Los Angeles Clippers succumbed to a Memphis Grizzlies team desperate to avoid elimination in Game 5 of their playoff series.
Despite being down 24 points at one point, the Clippers rallied to slash the deficit to six points in the closing minutes. However, Memphis held their nerve to close out the game 92-80.
The Clippers still hold the edge in the series but worryingly for them, star point guard Chris Paul re-aggravated a right groin injury suffered late in the regular season. Paul showed signs of pain after crossing over Quincy Pondexter late in the fourth quarter. On the next possession, he appeared to land awkwardly again while battling for a defensive rebound with Zach Randolph.
CP3 tried to play on but left the game with 1:24 on the clock while the Clippers were still in the game.
While it initially appeared Paul injured his groin, ESPN.com writer Kevin Arnovitz has now tweeted saying that Paul's injury has been re-classified as a right hip flexor strain.
Paul's running mate Blake Griffin also went down late in the third quarter following a drive to the rim. He came down hard on his left leg and immediately clutched his surgically repaired knee. Griffin stayed down for a while but eventually walked the pain off and remained in the game.
Griffin's injury appeared minor, but Dan Woike from The Orange County Register is reporting that Griffin will undergo an MRI scan on his knee tomorrow.
The dynamic duo has carried the Clippers so far this season and an injury to either would spell the end of their championship aspirations.
