Clippers Chris Paul to miss 6-8 weeks for thumb surgery
Chris Paul will undergo surgery on Wednesday to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb, the Los Angeles Clippers announced Tuesday.
Paul is expected to miss approximately 6-8 weeks and will continue to undergo treatment and evaluation by the Clippers medical staff.
Paul was injured in the second quarter Monday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He had eight points, six assists and three rebounds in 13 minutes. The star point guard already has missed seven games this season with hamstring injuries.
Paul was upset after the injury, kicking a chair as he left the floor.
In 36 games this season, the Clippers are 26-9 with Paul in the lineup. The nine-time NBA All-Star is averaging 17.5. points, 9.7 assists and 5.3 rebounds this season and leads the NBA with 2.25 steals per game.
Paul has had hand injuries before. He sprained his thumb during the 2014 playoffs, he broke his hand during the playoffs last season against the Portland Trail Blazers and he injured the thumb he's having surgery on during the preseason.
The Clippers will soon get some good news in that Blake Griffin could return as early as next week from knee surgery that has kept him out since late December. He has been doing light workouts of late.
Dr. Steve Shin will perform the procedure on Paul.