Paul injured; Rockets on cusp of NBA Finals after 98-94 win

The Rockets came up with big baskets do the stretch. They came up with big defensive stands. With the game on the line, Golden State fell flat on on its face. The Rockets survived a heavy weight slugfest in game five with a 98-94 win and now they find themselves on the doorstep of the nba’s biggest stage.

Unfortunately, it comes at the expense of Chris Paul.

After yet another clutch effort, Paul went down late in the fourth quarter with a hamstring strain. It's a tough injury which comes at the worst possible time.

If Paul can’t play in game 6, it’s worth noting the Rockets went 15 and 9 without Paul this season. But his presence will be missed. Especially considering how clutch he has been for the team in these playoffs.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr says his players are at their best when they’re threatened. They're threatened now. But the defending champs are showing no signs of panic.

The Rockets have won back to back games by showing the kind of toughness and grit that a championship caliber team is supposed to show. Just about other team would have lost game 4 after the Warriors 12-0 nothing onslaught to start the game and surely after Stephen Curry got hot in the third quarter. But the Rockets found a way to win. In game 5, despite James Harden and Chris Paul going a combined 11/40 from the floor, the Rockets found a way to win. Players like Eric Gordon stepped up. If Paul can’t play in game 6, someone will have to step up again.

If nothing else, the Rockets have shown they know how to play through adversity. That's why they are on the brink of the NBA Finals.

Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals is Saturday night.