Chris Paul's Clippers season may be over

Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers admits it does not look good for Chris Paul after the All-Star point guard fractured his hand in Monday's Western Conference playoff game four defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Paul was withdrawn in the third quarter of the 98-84 loss at the Moda Center, which tied the series at 2-2, after fracturing the third metacarpal on his right hand and did not return to the game.

Reports suggest that a recovery period of three to six weeks is required, and Rivers expressed his disappointment at Paul's misfortune.

"It doesn't look good for him," he said. "Chris is taking it very hard, he's worked all year to get back for the play-offs and for his to happen [is disappointing] he's an emotional guy.

"There's things you guys [media] will never see, it's a nice thing in the locker room the whole team is in the training room. It's nice in that way, but the reality is you don't have Chris Paul."

In a further blow to the Clippers, Blake Griffin is only rated "50-50" by Rivers to play game five after suffering a left quad injury.

Griffin missed a large chunk of the regular season with a partially torn quad.

"Yeah, just the same area," Griffin said. "I planted off of my left. I'll be re-evaluated and go from there."