A day after Stephen Curry's sprained MCL changed the complexion of the Western Conference playoff picture, it shifted again Monday night when Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul left his team's Game 4 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers with a fractured third metacarpal on his right hand.
Now, instead of hoping to face the Golden State Warriors without Curry for part or all of a potential matchup in the Western Conference semifinals, L.A. is fighting for survival.
Paul is out indefinitely, and surely won't be back for Game 5 in L.A with the series tied at two games apiece. The Clippers won't have forward Blake Griffin either, who is out for the playoffs after aggravating a quad injury. Can they advance without both stars? Let's run the numbers.