The Los Angeles Clippers are in the middle of a storm of their own making - and the timing couldn’t be worse.
Just hours before tipping off against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena, the Clippers made headlines by waiving veteran guard Chris Paul, a move that sent shockwaves through the league and raised more questions than answers. It didn’t take long for fans to notice.
Hawks supporters wasted no time trolling L.A. during the game, chanting “Where’s Chris Paul?” as the Clippers took the floor without the future Hall of Famer.
Paul’s return to the Clippers this past offseason was supposed to be a feel-good coda to a storied career - a homecoming for the 40-year-old guard in what he’s said will be his final NBA season. It was a chance to close out his career near family, and with the team he helped elevate into relevance a decade ago. But just 16 games in, that reunion is already over.
The Clippers haven’t offered a clear explanation for the decision, and the silence has only fueled speculation. Multiple reports suggest Paul had grown increasingly frustrated with the team’s direction, and wasn’t shy about voicing his concerns - reportedly calling out teammates, coaches, and even the front office during what’s been a brutal start to the season.
And make no mistake, it’s been rough. Heading into Wednesday’s matchup, L.A. sat at just 5-16 - a record that reflects a team still searching for identity and cohesion.
Paul, meanwhile, had been coming off the bench in a limited role behind James Harden and Kris Dunn, averaging 2.9 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in just over 14 minutes per game. Not exactly the numbers we’re used to seeing from a 12-time All-Star, but also not the kind of usage you’d expect for a player of his pedigree - even at this stage of his career.
The Clippers' decision to cut ties with Paul adds another chapter to a franchise that just can’t seem to stay out of its own way. Despite the talent on the roster and the high expectations that come with it, the team has struggled to find consistency or chemistry. This latest move only underscores the dysfunction that’s been bubbling beneath the surface.
It’s a tough way for Paul’s Clippers swan song to end - if indeed it is the end. There’s still a chance another team takes a flyer on him, especially if they’re looking for veteran leadership down the stretch. But for now, his farewell tour is on pause.
As for the game itself, the Clippers were leading the Hawks 55-41 at halftime - a rare bright spot in a season that’s been anything but. But the bigger story isn’t what’s happening on the scoreboard. It’s what’s happening behind the scenes, and whether this team can find a way forward after yet another self-inflicted wound.