Playing mostly off the bench, Chris Paul is averaging 9.0 points, 7.3 assists and 3.7 rebounds in his 1st season with the Warriors.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Golden State guard Chris Paul suffered a fractured left hand Friday night in the Warriors’ 113-109 win over the Detroit Pistons and will undergo surgery next week.
The Warriors made the postgame announcement about the 38-year-old Paul, who is expected to return this season.
Paul missed a 3-pointer from the right wing with 6:08 left in the third quarter and was trying to collect the long rebound when he came into contact with Detroit’s Jaden Ivey. Paul took his hand before going to the dressing room.
“This is tough, I feel so bad for Chris, I know he’s had a couple of hand surgeries before I believe it, maybe on the other side,” coach Steve Kerr said. “I saw him holding it and I was immediately concerned. I just got the word out after I got off the floor. So I feel terrible for Chris and obviously the guys will be ready to play. We have to hold the fort without him.”
Steve Kerr reacts to Chris Paul being diagnosed with a fractured left hand ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/CBddxI4rY9
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) January 6, 2024
Paul was acquired by Washington on draft day for Jordan Poole after earlier going to the Wizards from Phoenix. The point guard started the previous four games, but has also led the bench so far this season. On Friday, he had eight points, six rebounds and four assists in 23 minutes.
“It’s tough, Chris is a really big part of the team,” said Dario Saric, also Paul’s teammate in Phoenix. “We’re going to have to figure it out somehow. … It’s a huge loss.”
Paul entered Friday’s game averaging 9.0 points, 7.3 assists and 3.7 rebounds.
“It’s going to be tough, Chris is an all-time great and he fits right in with our team and he’s made life a lot easier not only for Steph, but he’s kind of captained the second unit,” Kerr said.