Chris Paul recovering from groin injury, hopes to play vs. Warriors

Clippers point guard Chris Paul hopes to return from a groin injury to play Thursday against the Warriors.

Clippers point guard Chris Paul hopes to return from a groin injury to play Thursday against the Warriors.

Paul told reporters Tuesday that he pushed himself too hard in last week’s loss to the Mavericks. Paul has missed L.A.’s last two games as a result. He hoped to practice and be able to play in Thursday’s game, according to the Los Angeles Times (“I want to, no question,” he said), but added he was looking at the “big picture.”

"Obviously you need every game,” Paul said, “but it's better to be ready in April, May, June than it is to be ready in November."

The Clippers have Tuesday and Wednesday off before hosting the undefeated Warriors, with whom they’ve developed a rivalry the past couple of seasons. Also questionable for the game is shooting guard J.J. Redick, who has also missed the last two games due to back spasms.

“[Redick]'s possibly going to play on Thursday,” head coach Doc Rivers told reporters. “I don't think he's going to do much today. He's feeling a lot better, he got some shooting in, but again, with the back, you've just got to be careful. If it's close, he's not going to play, I'll tell you that. Playing a game on a Thursday in the middle of the season, we're not going to overdo this.”

The Clippers are 6–4 and have lost four of their last six games.

- Jeremy Woo