Despite their recent injuries, Clippers point guards Chris Paul and Austin Rivers practiced on Tuesday for the Charlotte Hornets game in Shanghai, sources say. Both guards missed the Hornets game on Sunday in Shenzhen. The two games are part of the NBA Global Games, an initiative that sends NBA teams to play in cities throughout the world, according to the NBA.
Last Saturday, the eight-time NBA All-Star point guard fractured his left index finger during practice, according to ESPN. Paul has had a small amount of injures during his career, despite having knee problems during his stint with the New Orleans Pelicans and a hamstring injury last season, according to Bleacher Report.
According to the Clippers the injury isn’t considered serious. Paul gained 19.1 points and 10.2 assists per game during the 2014-2015 season, according to ESPN.
Rivers was injured the day before after being hit in the elbow by rookie Branden Dawson. Dawson knocked out five teeth on the bottom row of Rivers’ mouth, which caused Rivers to undergo surgery to put them back in, according to the Clippers.
Guard J.J. Redick replaced Paul in the Sunday game, earning 23 points. Guard Jamal Crawford earned 12 points, but the Clippers still fell to the Hornets 94-106.
Along with playing preseason games, the Clippers hosted a NBA Cares basketball clinic in Shanghai. They also visited Shanghai’s Jade Buddha Temple.
The Clippers will begin their season on October 28 against the Sacramento Kings, according to the NBA.
