THE NBA PLAYOFFS have seen their second serious injury in as many days as Chris Paul broke his hand during the LA Clippers’ 98-84 loss to the Portland Trailblazers last night.
The news of CP3′s injury came just hours after the Golden State warriors announced that reigning league MVP Steph Curry would miss at least two weeks of the playoffs after spraining his knee.
Paul left last night’s loss in the third quarter and an x-ray revealed he fractured the third metacarpel in his right hand while the Clippers’ other big name, Blake Griffin, also left the game with a sore knee.
Both players are expected to be evaluated by their team doctor today.
Al-Farouq Aminu was the key man for Portland, scoring 30 points as the Blazers levelled the best-of-seven series at two games apiece.
Elsewhere, the Oklahoma City Thunder wrapped up their first round series against the Dallas Mavericks in five games with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook combining for 69 points in a 118-104 victory.
They now travel to the San Antonio Spurs in game one of the second round on Saturday.
In Charlotte, a decisive final quarter from the Hornets saw them level their series with the Miami Heat thanks to a 89-85 win.
Kemba Walker finished with 34 points, 11 of which came unanswered in the fourth quarter, with the teams heading back to Miami on Wednesday for game five.
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Unfortunate for them with the injuries, would have been great to see them fully loaded having a crack at Europe.
Glad McCabe is back, good player, thought it was a poor decision in the Summer to let him go.
Wonder what Conan O’Donnell is up to this weather
@ScewMadd: He was togging out for Counties Manukau in the mitre cup, prior to that he was at the sunwolves. Since the mitre cups completion I am not sure where he’s at. He put in a few 80min performances for Counties and he looked v solid. They played him at lh for all but one of his starts. Connacht could do with him now that’s for sure.
@Ian Verdon: I thought O’Donnell and Kenny would be starting for Connacht as a duo for 10 years when they first came on the scene. Both looked serious prospects but O’Donnell didn’t work out for some reason and Kenny’s taking more time do come through that I thought he would. His technique needed a good bit of work but a serious specimen.
@Eddie Hekenui: O’Donnell impressed me for counties this season, granted I only saw 3 of his performances. He seems comfortable playing either side of the scrum and his skillset is good. Kenny at 133kg is certainly a specimen, for me he needs to shed a few kg’s. His athleticism isn’t bad for a lad of his weight but I think with an added injection of acceleration he could be more of a weapon with ball in hand and get around the park more. He’s only 23 which is still young for a prop. He could well be on the bench this weekend I’ll be keeping an eye on him if indeed he is and does get on.
@Ian Verdon: Having seen him in action last season he’s definitely trimmed down since he was an U20 so I doubt he’s still 133 but you’re spot on that he could still do with tightening things up a bit. Still looks to be carrying a bit of bad weight. He’s some engine on him considering his size too. He got through a mountain of work in the game I saw him live and he did a number on his opposite number in the scrum which was a bit of a weakness for him at U20 level.
Yeah O’Donnell was a lad I was really surprised got let go. He was a huge prospect at underage levels and it’s an area Connacht have very little depth. But the coaches saw him in action everyday so are sure to have had good reasons. Hopefully he can continue his career somewhere else and maybe work himself back into contention somewhere in Ireland.
@Eddie Hekenui: it states on Connacht’s team page he’s still 133kg but that may not have been updated. For his size he does have a impressive engine but even cutting down 5kg can make a world if difference to ones athleticism just look at Healy and killer.
O’Donnell is still only 23 himself maybe he’ll do a thornbury and try educate and develop his game in Nz playing m with likes of counties and come back in a year or so better for it. Wether that be with Connacht or indeed another province.
@Ian Verdon: I wouldn’t place much stock in figures listed on the clubs websites. They’re never updated. They get put in after the players initial testing and that’s it. I’d be less concerned with a weight figure than a composition one too. He looked like he’s lost a lot of the bad weight he was carrying and turned it into muscle.
This could be a massacre, as could every other Connacht match in the tournament