Chris Paul Injury: Updates on Clippers Star's Groin and Return

Chris Paul suffered a groin injury during the Nov. 4 game against the Golden State Warriors, and it appears he is on the verge of a return to the floor.

Continue for updates.

---

Latest on Paul's Playing Status vs. Grizzlies

Monday, Nov. 9

Dan Woike of the Orange County Register reported Paul is listed as probable against Memphis.

---

Paul Struck with Injury Bug Once Again

While nobody questions Paul's toughness—especially after he fought through a hamstring injury in the playoffs last year—he has struggled to stay healthy in previous seasons. Last year was the first time in his career he played all 82 games. In the three seasons before that, he combined to miss 38 games.

Paul's more physical style and willingness to absorb contact have put a ton of punishment on his 6'0" frame, and that could catch up with him more and more as he gets older.

For now, the 30-year-old Clippers star is the best point guard on the planet. Nobody else at his position possesses the same blend of scoring, playmaking and defending. He averaged 19.1 points, 10.2 assists and 1.9 steals last year. According to Basketball-Reference.com, Paul had the highest offensive win shares (12.9) of any player in the league.

His value to the Clippers is evident in the 19.8-point swing in net rating they had when he was on and off the court. Los Angeles was 12.2 points to the good when Paul was on the floor, and without him, the net rating fell to minus-7.6, per NBA.com.

With a healthy Paul, the Clippers are capable of winning an NBA title, provided the additions of Paul Pierce and Lance Stephenson don't blow up in their faces.

Take Paul out of the equation, and Los Angeles would be in trouble. Not only would Rivers be losing his best player, but his son is his backup point guard. Austin Rivers gets a little too much criticism at times, but he's not somebody you want starting at the point for even an average NBA team, let alone a playoff contender in the Western Conference.

While Paul continues to sit, Blake Griffin will have to take a bigger leadership role and likely shoulder more of the offensive burden. Stephenson, Jamal Crawford and J.J. Redick will also have to compensate in the backcourt.

Short of the team moving back to San Diego or Buffalo, New York, a long-term injury to Paul is the worst possible news for the Clippers. Fortunately, this one doesn't appear to fall under that category.