There’s less than a 1% chance that the Clippers’ Chris Paul will play against Houston, but J.J. Redick is probable

Reporting from HOUSTON â€”  Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said there was a “99.9%â€� chance that Chris Paul won’t play Friday night against the Houston Rockets and it was “probableâ€� that J.J. Redick will play in the game at the Toyota Center.

Paul had missed three games with a strained left hamstring before returning to play against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night. He played 30 minutes, 37 seconds in the loss.

Redick missed the last two games with a sore left hamstring.

The Clippers lost all three games Paul sat out, and they lost to the Pelicans when he returned, pushing the team’s losing streak to four in a row.

Before the Clippers started their shoot-around Friday morning, Rivers said Paul will continue to have lingering effects with his hamstring.

“It’s going to be an issue for a while,� Rivers said. “So like I said, we’re going to take it very slow. Our plan early on was to limit his minutes. We did that. We probably won’t play him tonight. I’m going to say probably 99.9% that I won’t play him tonight. He may play the next night [at Oklahoma City]. We’re just going to be very cautious with him.

“He didn’t reinjure it or anything like that. But he did feel some fatigue, and that’s enough. Like, if it was a playoff game, he’d be playing. But if there’s fatigue, then that means to me more rest, and that’s the route we’re going.�

Paul was asked what he thought about Rivers’ comments.

“He said, ‘99.9%’? Yeah. Yeah,� Paul responded.

When asked whether he was having any problems with his hamstring, Paul replied: “It’s just understanding that it’s a marathon. So I just keep telling myself, as well as all of us, is that we understand that it’s big picture. Big picture.�

Paul paused and looked at his teammates, who were shooting.

“Oh, I can get in that. I can get in that shooting game,� Paul said. “I can’t do much, but I can get in the shooting game.�

Rivers said he wanted to wait until after the team’s shoot-around before making a definite decision on Redick’s playing status.

“J.J. is probable, which gives us a little wiggle room,� the coach said.

Redick, however, didn’t sound as reassuring about his condition and playing against the Rockets.

“This has been frustrating,� he said. “I’m going to continue to be smart about it. When I’m ready, I’m ready.�

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