Clippers guard Chris Paul will ‘most likely’ play against Sacramento tonight, Doc Rivers says

Reporting from SACRAMENTO — Though Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said Chris Paul was “most likely” to play against the Sacramento Kings on Friday night, the team officially listed the All-Star point guard as probable.

Still, probable is an upgrade for Paul, who has been listed as doubtful while missing the last four games with a sore left hamstring.

He has missed seven of the Clippers’ eight games since he suffered a strained left hamstring against the San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 22. Paul played about 30 minutes against the New Orleans Pelican on Dec. 28, but hasn’t played since.

“Two days ago he had a really good workout,” Rivers said before the Clippers’ shootaround Friday morning. “And then he did it again yesterday and it’s been no residuals. That has been our thing.

“Obviously he could have played probably two games ago. But he kept getting so sore after the workouts that we felt like it would just lead it to go right back down to where it was. So now he feels great, and we’ll go from there.”

After a six-game losing streak, the Clippers have won two consecutive games.

The return of Paul, who was seen putting up shots before the media left practice, could be another boost for the Clippers.

“I always let him get to the game and work out,” Rivers said. “And sometimes you get there and say, ‘I just don’t feel ready.’ So, I give myself wiggle room.”