NBA insider drops one-word reaction to Sixers guard's bold Chris Paul 2018 injury claim
James Harden and Chris Paul's Houston Rockets nearly upset the Golden State Warriors' Steph Curry and Kevin Durant-led superteam in the 2018 Western Conference finals. According to ex-Rocket Eric Gordon and Yahoo Sports NBA insider Kevin O'Connor, Paul's late-series hamstring injury decided the outcome.
Boasting a league-best 65-17 record in the 2017-18 regular season, the fast-paced, layup and 3-point-centric Rockets were considered the Warriors' biggest playoff threats.
Upon matching up in the West finals, the squads split their first four showdowns 2-2. Afterward, Houston gutted out a 98-94 Game 5 home victory to secure a pivotal 3-2 series lead. However, the franchise suffered an unfortunate blow, losing Paul to a right hamstring strain in the contest's closing seconds.
Despite reportedly receiving around-the-clock treatment to return for Games 6 and 7, the 12-time All-Star remained sidelined for the remainder of the series.
In Paul's absence, Golden State secured back-to-back wins to advance to the NBA Finals. Afterward, it swept the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 to capture the championship.
Many have since pondered how the 2018 West finals' outcome would have differed if Paul stayed healthy. On Monday, Gordon, now a Philadelphia 76er, weighed in on the what-if scenario on the "Club 520 Podcast," expressing confidence in his former team.
"I truly believe if CP didn't get injured, we would have won that year. I really do," Gordon said.
NBA Central shared Gordon's quote on X/Twitter on Tuesday, with O'Connor concurring with the veteran's assessment via a one-word reaction.
"True," O'Connor said.
Unfortunately for Houston, 2018 proved to be its core's best shot at getting over the hump and securing the organization's first finals appearance since 1995. The Rockets haven't returned to the conference finals since, moving on from Paul and Harden in 2019 and 2021, respectively.
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Eric Gordon on playing with James Harden and Chris Paul-led Rockets
During his aforementioned podcast appearance, Eric Gordon expanded on his stint alongside James Harden and Chris Paul on the Rockets.
According to Gordon, the team took a laid-back approach with him, prioritizing his health come playoff time.
"As soon as I got there, they gave me a formula for what I needed to do, and they didn't care if I ever practiced," Gordon said. "They were just like, 'We just want you to be healthy.'"
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Gordon served as one of the NBA's premier 3-point marksmen during his six-and-a-half-year tenure with Houston, winning the 2017 Sixth Man of the Year award.
Nevertheless, he remains in pursuit of his first championship entering Year 17 of his career.
Also Read: Dwyane Wade reveals what's most impressive about Chris Paul entering 20th NBA season