Chris Paul may have returned to game seven versus the San Antonio Spurs with his hamstring injury, leading the Clippers to the 111-109 win and hitting the game winning shot, but the Clippers will likely be without Paul for their first game against the Rockets on Monday due to the injury.

Per Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports:

Based on how Rivers also sounded, it will be surprising if Paul is available for Game 1 of the Clippers’ second-round series against the Houston Rockets on Monday night.

The well-rested Rockets and the Clippers split their four-game season series. Paul averaged 16.8 points, 9.5 assists and 3.3 assists in 36.3 minutes per game in four contests against the Rockets this season. The Rockets are without injured starting point guard Pat Beverley. And if Paul is out, the Clippers will have to turn to reserve Austin Rivers and seldom-used reserve Lester Hudson.

“Chris may play or may not play the first game, but the game is Monday … my guess right now if I had to guess, I would say no,” Rivers said.

Chris Paul played every single Clippers regular season game this season averaging 19.1 points, 10.2 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game. Paul is averaging 22.7 points, 7.9 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game during the Playoffs thus far.

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