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NBA Rumors: Warriors' Chris Paul Expected Out 4-6 Weeks After Surgery on Hand Injury

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIJanuary 7, 2024

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 4: Chris Paul #3 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball during the game against the Denver Nuggets on January 4, 2024 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images

Golden State Warriors guard Chris Paul is expected to miss four to six weeks after undergoing surgery on his left hand, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Paul suffered a fractured hand during the Warriors' 113-109 home victory against the Detroit Pistons on Friday.

The injury occurred after Paul went for an offensive rebound off his own three-point miss. Unfortunately, his hand made awkward contact with Pistons guard Jaden Ivey, who also went for the loose ball. Paul left the game about a half-minute later.

After the game, Golden State revealed that Paul was scheduled to have surgery the following week.

The 12-time All-Star and four-time All-NBA First Team member has suffered numerous hand ailments during his career, per ESPN's Kendra Andrews.

"A 19-year veteran, Paul has a long history of injuries, 11 of which were hand injuries -- five to his left and six to his right. He has had four surgeries on his hand or wrist, most recently on his left wrist after his 2021 NBA Finals appearance with the Phoenix Suns."

In his first year with Golden State, Paul has averaged 8.9 points and 7.2 assists per game. He started 11 of 32 games and averaged 27.6 minutes per contest.

Paul joined the Warriors from the Phoenix Suns by way of the Washington Wizards, who initially added CP3 in a deal that sent Bradley Beal in the other direction. Washington later sent Paul to the Dubs in a trade that brought back Jordan Poole.

After the injury, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr mentioned how hard it would be to replace him.

"It's going to be tough, Chris is an all-time great and he's fit right into our team and made life so much easier not only on Steph but he's kind of captained that second unit," Kerr told reporters.

Without Paul, the onus should fall more on Brandin Podziemski and Cory Joseph to handle the ball when Stephen Curry isn't running the show.