Chris Paul makes tough decision to skip Olympics

It wasn’t an easy decision, Chris Paul admitted Wednesday, but withdrawing from playing in the 2016 Olympics was the best decision for him.

He’ll be 31 on May 6 and his body could use the rest after 11 seasons in the NBA.

Also, he played on the 2008 and 2012 gold-medal winning U.S. Olympic teams.

“Yeah, it was a tough decision. It’s a long story,� Paul said. “You know, my kids have never had an opportunity to experience the Olympics. Little Chris was so excited about it. But I talked to him and was like, ‘I actually get a chance to be home a little bit more.’�

Paul said he discussed his decision with friends and Olympic teammates Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade, and his family.

“It’s a good decision,� Rivers said. “He’s played in it. It would have been his third. So I just think it’s the right thing to do for him. He has served and he has served well. But he also has to take care of his body.�

Lawler unable to call Clippers’ game

Venerable TV play-by-play announcer Ralph Lawler didn’t call the Clippers’ game against Minnesota because of a death in the family, the team said.

Brian Sieman, the Clippers’ radio play-by-play announcer, took over the duties for Lawler and called the game with analyst Michael Smith.

NEXT UP

CLIPPERS AT OKLAHOMA CITY

When: Thursday, 6:30 p.m. PDT.

Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena.

On the air: TV: TNT; Radio: 710, 1330.

Records: Clippers 47-27; Thunder 52-23.

Record vs. Thunder: 1-2.

Update: Thunder forwards Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka didn’t play in the team’s last game, sitting out to rest, but both are expected to play against the Clippers. Thunder guard Russell Westbrook leads the NBA in triple-doubles with 16. is eighth in the league in scoring (23.7), second in assists (10.4) and fifth in steals (2.04).

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