As Chris Paul left the court against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 4, the news of his fractured right hand knocked the wind out of every Los Angeles Clippers player sitting on the bench and essentially ended their season. Once a hobbling Blake Griffin was pulled from the game in the fourth quarter, suffering from an aggravated quadriceps injury, it was clear the Clippers wouldn’t have their second superstar to fall back on either.
Now, both Blake and Paul are out for the playoffs, leaving the bench to step up more than ever.