Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul is “less than likely” to play in Game 7 against the Golden State Warriors, according to a report.

ESPN, citing undientified sources, said Paul is “less likely than likely, but working every angle to try” to get back on the court.

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Paul, 33, suffered an injury to his right hamstring in the final minute of Game 5, a game in which he willed his team to victory and a 3-2 series lead over the favored Warriors. Paul, whose career has been cursed by untimely injuries, has never advanced this far in the playoffs in his 13 years with New Orleans, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Rockets.

He traveled with the Rockets for Game 6 in Oakland, although coach Mike D’Antoni said there was “no shot” Paul would play. Instead, Paul, dressed in team warmups, prowled the sidelines like a coach, exhorting the players and working the refs.

As Game 7 approaches, memories are stirring of Willis Reed’s heroic efforts in the deciding game of the 1970 finals between the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers. Reed, the Knicks center, had sustained a major injury in Game 5, a torn thigh muscle that kept him out of Game 6. He was expected to miss Game 7 as well, but when the Knicks came out for warmups, their captain was with them..

His thigh heavily wrapped, Reed scored the first two baskets of the game for the Knicks. He did not score again, limping through 27 minutes, but his courageous performance inspired the Madison Square Garden crowd and helped the Knicks to a 113-99 victory.

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A better comparison for today would be Game 3 of the 1989 NBA Finals. That’s the one Magic Johnson tried to play after pulling his hamstring the previous game. He lasted five minutes and the Lakers went down in four games to the Bad Boy Detroit Pistons.

My guess for Monday night: Paul tries to play, but can’t.