San Francisco – The Warriors have faced some tough challenges this season. In tonight’s 113-109 win over the Detroit Pistons, they lost veteran guard Chris Paul in the third quarter with a fractured left hand. He will undergo surgery next week and miss a significant amount of time. That now leaves the team down two guards (Paul and Gary Payton II) and Draymond Green.
“That’s tough. I feel so bad for Chris,” said Golden State’s head coach Steve Kerr. “I know he’s had a couple of hand surgeries before I believe, it was on the other hand. Yeah, I saw him holding it and instantly was worried. Just got the word after walking off the floor. I feel terrible for Chris, guys will step up and be ready to play, and we’ve got to hold down the fort without him.”
“I feel for him but at the same time, it is next man up and something Chris never loses is his voice,” Tracye Jackson-Davis said on losing Paul. “Being on the bench able to talk to us, that is one of his biggest attributes. That is something that he won’t lose. He will still be invested in the game, and I feel for him.”
In his first year with the Warriors, Paul has made a huge impact. Especially with the second unit. Due to his leadership and veteran skill, Golden State’s bench has outscored their opponent for the 28th game this season (out of 35). He gets everyone involved and keeps them motivated, as well as improve their game. Dario Šarić tallied his eighth game of 15-or-more points this season.
“He really kind of raised my game and try to find me in every situation when I’m open and force me to play down there, and I’m really thankful,” said Saric’ on playing without Paul. “It’s going to be a big loss for my game probably but like what we can do, we can just figure out like is he going to get better sooner than later, be part of the team, it’s going to be tough. Not just for me but for all the guys, for the team, for the chemistry. It’s going to be tough, but you know that’s basketball.”
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