In what had been the most highly-anticipated playoff series throughout this season, the Western Conference Finals between the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets has not disappointed thus far.
With the series now at 3-2 in favor of the Rockets, Houston was dealt a blow during the final seconds of Game 5 that could completely sway the series. Veteran point guard Chris Paul came down with an apparent hamstring injury and according to Yahoo’s Chris Mannix, the strain will sideline him for a pivotal Game 6:
Chris Paul out for Game 6, per Rockets pic.twitter.com/7l9UFceXtC
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixYS) May 25, 2018
Though James Harden is the guard on Houston’s roster in MVP contention, the intensity and defensive prowess Chris Paul has brought to the Rockets this season is unparalleled. As one of the craftiest floor generals of all-time, his absence will be desperately missed against Golden State’s star backcourt.
However, the Rockets reportedly had a plan in place before even learning that CP3 would not be active for Game 6. According to ESPN’s Marc Spears, Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni plans to deploy 6th man Eric Gordon as more of a playmaker as opposed to his typical trigger-happy role off the bench.
Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said Eric Gordon will move to the role of playmaker if Chris Paul doesn’t return from a hamstring injury in Game 6.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) May 25, 2018
Even without Chris Paul, the Rockets still roster a top-tier offensive playmaker in James Harden. However, the MVP frontrunner has struggled in recent games, setting the stage for a much-needed explosion in Game 6. But with Houston playing away from home in one of the most hostile environments in all the NBA and now without their surgical point guard, the odds are surely stacked against them.
Though Paul will be re-evaluated once the team returns to Houston following Game 6 in Oakland, it remains very much up in the air as to whether he will be available for a Game 7 if there is one. An all-important Game 6 will take place Saturday at 9:00 PM.
