Even minus Chris Paul, Houston coach says Rockets will be 'all right'
ANXIOUS. Houston coach Mike D'Antoni admits that Chris Paul, who suffered a hamstring injury, feels worried, saying his ’spirits aren't great.’ Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images/AFP
LOS ANGELES, United States – Star guard Chris Paul came out limping in the final minute of Houston's Game 5 win over Golden State on Thursday, May 24. And until now, his status for Game 6 remains unclear.
But Houston coach Mike D'Antoni thinks the team will be just fine – with or without Paul – when the Rockets go for the NBA Finals berth and deny the Warriors a 4th straight trip to the championship series.
"If he's there, great. If he isn't, we have enough guys. ... We'll be all right," said D'Antoni.
Paul played a pivotal role in the Rockets' 98-94 Game 5 triumph that gave Houston a 3-2 edge in the best-of-7 Western Conference finals series.
The starting point guard dropped 18 of his 20 points in the second half, but after missing a shot in the lane with 51.7 seconds remaining, he hit the court and came up clutching the back of his right thigh.
At first unwilling to depart, he finally limped off after a chat with Rockets athletic trainer Keith Jones during a timeout with 22.4 seconds to play.
"We'll see," D'Antoni said when asked about Paul's status for Saturday's Game 6. "He'll be evaluated tomorrow, but obviously you saw him limp off, and he's a tough guy."
Paul, the league's Rookie of the Year in the 2005-06 season and a 9-time All-Star, is playing in the conference finals for the first time.
The 33-year-old, who starred for the Los Angeles Clippers before arriving in Houston in a trade last June, missed 24 games this season with a variety of injuries.
"His spirits aren't great," D'Antoni admitted. "He wanted to be out there, and for sure he's worried and all that. That's normal."
Warriors star Draymond Green said uncertainty over Paul's status wouldn't change Golden State's preparation for their must-win Game 6.
"That's not our focus," Green said. "We've got to prepare like he's going to play. He's a great player, right in the middle of everything they do." – Rappler.com
