Clippers coming to brutal Chris Paul realization they should've known all along

Clippers Face Harsh Reality with Chris Paul

The LA Clippers seem to be realizing a hard truth about their veteran point guard Chris Paul. Despite decades of NBA history showing that very few players stay effective into their forties, the team appears to have expected a different outcome.

"Given how many decades of basketball have been played in the NBA, the LA Clippers should have known that the only 40-year-old the league will likely ever see consistently perform at a high level is LeBron James."

Paul, now 40, was signed by the Clippers with hopes that he could be managed carefully through the season and still deliver key performances when it matters, particularly during the playoffs. However, by game four of the 2025–26 regular season, it became evident that these hopes may have been overly optimistic.

In his debut in Salt Lake City, Paul scored four points, dished out four assists, and shot just 1-for-5 from the field. The limited efficiency underscored the challenge of maintaining top form at his age, even for a player with exceptional basketball intelligence.

While Paul's leadership and experience remain valuable assets, maintaining consistency throughout the remaining 78 games will be his toughest test. Coach Tyronn Lue, managing a rotation that includes several veteran guards, has already faced tough lineup decisions, including keeping Bogdan Bogdanovic as the DNP when Bradley Beal was unavailable for games three and four.

Now, with all eleven Clippers players healthy and ready to play, lineup adjustments will likely continue as Lue balances experience, health, and performance across the roster.

Author’s Summary

The Clippers are learning that even with Chris Paul’s intellect and leadership, expecting peak performance from a 40-year-old guard in the NBA was ultimately unrealistic.

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Clipperholics Clipperholics — 2025-11-01

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