Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (23) brings the ball up as Golden State Warriors guard Chris Paul (3) looks at his left hand during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Friday, Jan. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
SAN FRANCISCO — Chris Paul fractured his left, non-shooting hand during the Warriors’ win against the Detroit Pistons on Friday and will undergo surgery next week, the Warriors announced.
It’s expected that Paul will return sometime this season, but there is no timeline for his return. Paul, 38, injured his hand mid-way through the third quarter going after a loose ball, where it appeared Paul’s hand collided with Jaden Ivey in transition. Paul exited for the locker room immediately and was ruled out shortly after.
The injury leaves Golden State without a key playmaker indefinitely. Guards Cory Joseph, Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody, who had fallen out of the rotation, are expected to fill the 30 minutes Paul leaves behind.
Moody had sat out three straight games heading into Friday’s game. In Moody’s support, the Chase Center crowd chanted his name until he checked in mid-way through the fourth quarter.
“We won’t replace all those minutes with one guy will probably spread them out,” Steve Kerr said “But I’m excited to get Moses back out there. I thought he was great tonight. He brought a lot of energy. Great to hear the fans chanting his name you know he’s a fan favorite release and he plays hard.”
Paul is averaging nine points and 7.3 assists in 27.7 minutes per game this season.
Originally published at Shayna Rubin