Clippers PG Chris Paul leaves game with strained right groin

Clippers point guard Chris Paul left Wednesday’s game with a strained right groin muscle, but the injury is not thought to be serious.

Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul left Wednesday’s game against the Golden State Warriors with a strained right groin muscle, coach Doc Rivers told ESPN after the game.

Paul missed only the final minute of the game, and the injury is not thought to be serious.

“I don’t think it’s severe,“ Rivers said. “It’s just too early in the season, so I took him out.”

Paul led the team with 24 points and nine assists while shooting nine of 16 from the floor with three steals over 30 minutes of play. He has averaged 17 points per game with a 45.5% shooting percentage in 32.2 minutes through five games this season.

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Rivers said Paul didn’t take kindly to being benched, and tried to sneak back into the game. Rivers had to “drag him back to the bench,” according to ESPN.

“I wasn’t going to put him back out there,” Rivers said.

Paul said he didn’t plan on missing time with the injury, and that there was “no question” he would play in the Clippers’ next game.

The 102–96 loss to the Warriors was the Clippers’ first of the season, dropping their record to 4–1. Los Angeles will next take on the Houston Rockets on Saturday at home.

- Erin Flynn