The Houston Rockets held off the Golden State Warriors in Game 5 last night by the final of 98-94 to take a 3-2 series lead in the Western Conference Finals. In other words, the Rockets are just one win away from their first NBA Finals appearance since 1995.
However, they might need to get it done without Chris Paul, who suffered a hamstring injury late in the fourth quarter of last night's victory. Paul, who finished with 20 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals, will be re-evaluated after he gets an MRI today, before his status for Game 6 is determined, according to ESPN. Reports state that CP3's hamstring was still "really sore" late Thursday night and that he had felt "a twinge" upon landing after a floater in the lane during the final minute of Game 5.
"I will be all right," Paul told Marc J. Spears of ESPN's The Undefeated. When asked about Game 6 on Saturday, Paul responded, "Oh, yeah."
In the event that CP3 is unable to suit up for Game 6 on Saturday night at Oracle Arena, head coach Mike D'Antoni told reporters that Eric Gordon, who had a team-high 24 points off the bench, will transition to the role of playmaker.
"We'll see [if he can play Game 6]. He'll be evaluated tomorrow, but obviously you saw him limp off, and he's a tough guy," Houston coach Mike D'Antoni said, per ESPN. "They'll do whatever they can do. If he's there, great, good for him. If he isn't, we have enough guys; it's time for somebody else to step up.
"We'll be all right. We just have to continue what we're doing."
Houston will look to close out the series, with or without the 13-year veteran point guard, on Saturday night at 9:00pm ET.