How Did Chris Paul Hurt His Thumb?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jonah Kubicek | Last updated Nov 20, 2024 11:21 AM ET

On Tuesday, the San Antonio Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder, 110-104. Entering the matchup, the Thunder were the best team in the Western Conference and the Spurs were without Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, and Victor Wembanyama. Nonetheless, the Spurs were able to pull out an upset win.

Chris Paul recorded his sixth double-double on the season, scoring 14 points and dishing out nine assists. With just over a minute left, he hit a dagger over Alex Casuro as the shot clock expired to seal the game.

At the end of the third quarter, Paul and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got tangled up near halfcourt, and it looked like Paul hurt, or perhaps dislocated, his left thumb. There was no foul on the play, it was very clearly incidental contact, but Paul was grimacing and had to have his hand taped up for the rest of the game.

Paul was asked about it by a sideline reporter after the final buzzer sounded.

"It'll be alright," said Paul to TNT's Jared Greenberg. "I've already had five hand surgeries!"

Paul has been a leader for the young Spurs all season and continues to insist that he signed here to play, although he understands that teaching comes with the territory. Paul has never won the NBA Finals and knows this won't be the season he finally gets a ring, but he relishes the chance to compete.

"I don't know what playing for nothing is about," he continued. "Every year, the teams I've been on have been competitive, so I wanted to come here and bring that mindset, bring that attitude."

The Spurs will have Wednesday off before hosting the Utah Jazz on Thursday. San Antonio and Utah have split their last two games and will end the season series early on Nov. 26.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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