Chris Paul sits out Game 2 vs. Rockets with strained left hamstring
— -- HOUSTON -- Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul will not play in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, missing his second straight game because of a strained left hamstring.
"He's not moving well," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said when asked about Paul playing. "It concerns me but we have a couple more days and we'll see. He's moving better today than he was so that's a good sign but not good enough to play in a basketball game."
Rivers said the Clippers being up 1-0 in the series had no effect on his decision and that he wasn't sure whether Paul would be able to play in Game 3 of the series on Friday in Los Angeles.
"If he could play, he would play," Rivers said. "You got to win four, so if he could play, he would play."
Paul, who turned 30 on Wednesday, was supposed to shoot around with the team in the morning but didn't have his socks on as he gingerly walked around the court, talking to teammates and coaches. He mainly shot free throws and ran in the pool.
When Rivers was asked whether he thought Paul would return during the series, he said, "Yeah, I just don't know when. I don't know if I'm discouraged or encouraged about Game 3, but we're just going to have to take it day by day."
Paul said he was feeling better and was encouraged by the progress he had made but didn't try to fight Rivers on his decision.
"He knew," Rivers said.
"It's really tough, especially with the way that I play, there's only one way I know how to play," Paul said. "It's one of those things where you don't want to make it worse than it already is."
The Clippers were able to win Game 1 of the series Monday without Paul as Blake Griffin notched his second straight triple-double and third of the postseason. Rivers said that win would have no bearing on Paul's status for Game 2 but Paul smiled when asked whether it did.
"That definitely didn't hurt," Paul said. "I told the guys after the last game, if it's not broke, don't fix it. Blake let me know that he needed me but we'll see how it feels."
Paul has not been able to run since suffering the injury in Saturday's series-clinching win over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 7. He has been getting around-the-clock treatment since then.
"I've been with the training staff all day, every day," Paul said. "I'm doing everything possible to try and get back out on the court. ... Every day is better. We'll see. If I can play, I'll play."
Paul sat on the Clippers' bench Monday, occasionally coaching his teammates, and said he was more nervous as a spectator than a player.
"I told them if I were to miss tonight, I'd probably have to take some anxiety pills," Paul said earlier Wednesday. "It's a lot more nerve-wracking being on the bench than it is in the game. We're such a team, and guys really showed a lot of resolve. This is probably a reason why I'll never coach, not at this level. Maybe my AAU kids, but not this; this is too stressful."
Paul was in tears after hitting the game-winning shot against the Spurs on Saturday and said Wednesday the tears had as much to do with knowing that his injury would likely keep him out of the opening of the next round as it was advancing past the first round.
"That's why I was so emotional when I hit the shot," Paul said. "I was telling our trainer on the bench it was almost a bittersweet moment. I'm happy we're advancing but I sort of knew I wouldn't be able to go, at least for that first game."
Paul averaged 19.1 points, 10.2 assists and 1.9 steals per game this season. This was the first time in his 10-year NBA career he started all 82 games during the regular season.
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