As soon as Chris Paul went down with a suspected leg injury late in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, social media lit up with concern. Players and fans alike offered prayers and support, knowing how crucial Paul has been for the Houston Rockets. His second-half performance was a major reason the team secured a tight 98-94 win over the Golden State Warriors—a result that sparked as much tension as the final over of a BD Cricket Match.
Houston-based journalist Ben DuBose tweeted, “If Paul can’t return in this series, I’ll be shocked. He’s overcome injury before—remember Game 7 against the Spurs in 2015.” The big question now is timing. Will the Rockets risk him in Game 6 on the road, or rest him in hopes of a possible Game 7 return at home? The team has confirmed that updates on his condition will be shared the following day.
Typically, hamstring injuries fall into three categories. A grade one strain is minor and requires 2–3 weeks of rest. A grade two involves partial tearing and needs 4–8 weeks. Grade three is a full tear and often sidelines players for three months or more. Hamstring issues are notoriously slow to heal—Utah Jazz guard Ricky Rubio suffered a similar injury earlier in the playoffs and missed an entire series. Jazz star Donovan Mitchell echoed the concern on Twitter: “No no no, CP, please don’t let it be the hamstring!” The worry is understandable. Without Paul’s leadership in crunch time, the Rockets’ offensive rhythm could fall apart—just like a batting collapse in a BD Cricket Match.
After the game, Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni praised Paul, saying, “He was one of our best players tonight. He’s concerned, of course, and we’ll evaluate the injury carefully.” D’Antoni added that if Paul is unable to play, Eric Gordon would take on more ball-handling and playmaking duties. Gerald Green also applauded Paul’s grit, calling him a fighter.
The injury happened with just under a minute left in regulation. After finishing a spinning layup, Paul clutched his right thigh and didn’t run back on defense. D’Antoni quickly subbed him out for Clint Capela. Sitting on the bench, Paul looked visibly distraught, exchanging only brief words with the training staff before slumping into his seat. Postgame evaluations confirmed a right hamstring injury. Paul didn’t attend the press conference, opting for treatment instead. His former teammate Jamal Crawford tweeted, “Praying CP is OK,” while DeMarcus Cousins posted a prayer emoji.
With Game 6 looming and the series hanging in the balance, all eyes are now on Paul’s recovery timeline. The Rockets are just one win away from the Finals, but without their floor general, the challenge becomes much steeper. Just as in a tight BD Cricket Match, one injury, one missed moment, could decide everything.