Chris Paul was back in the Clippers’ starting lineup Friday night, his return finally making them whole for the first time in more than two months, his presence sorely needed as L.A. enters the stretch drive of the regular season.
Paul had been sidelined for 14 games while recovering from surgery to repair a ligament tear in his left thumb and returned to a game that was a defensive standoff between the Clippers and San Antonio Spurs.
The Clippers were not able to get the important defensive stops when the game hung in the balance, dropping a 105-97 decision to the Spurs at Staples Center.