Injury-depleted Clippers are running out of options this postseason

The cruelty of the NBA playoffs is now the Clippers’ reality, their hopes fading because of injuries that have left them with an uncertain future.

“There’s nobody, probably, in the league that’s going to replace Chris Paul,” Clippers Coach Doc Rivers so correctly stated Monday night.

So how on Earth are the Clippers going to survive in the playoffs if Paul is out for the rest of the postseason after suffering a broken bone in his right hand during their loss to the Portland Trail Blazers Monday night in Game 4 that evened the best-of-seven first-round series at 2-2?

Who do the Clippers turn to if Blake Griffin can’t go in Game 5 on Wednesday night at Staples Center after he became hobbled Monday because he aggravated the left quadriceps injury that kept him out of 45 games this season?

And let’s not forget that Clippers shooting guard J.J. Redick is playing on a sore left heel that still is causing him physical pain and mental anguish because he hasn’t been able to knock down shots.

The Clippers like to stick to the “Next Man Up” mantra, but it will be a challenge this time.

NBA sixth man of the year Jamal Crawford usually provides offense when Paul is out. But Crawford has struggled with his offense in the Trail Blazers series, averaging 13.8 points a game, but making just 41.8% of his shots, 23.1% of his three-pointers.

Austin Rivers has played well in some games when he started in place of Paul. But Rivers, too, has had his difficulties, averaging seven points on 41.4% shooting, 25% on three-pointers.

Jeff Green provided a big moment in Game 4, scoring 17 points on five-for-10 shooting, including three-for-six on three-pointers. But the forward, who will either start or play more depending on Griffin’s status, is making just 41.7% of his shots in the series.

Paul Pierce was acquired by the Clippers because of his playoff moxie and his ability to deliver in the big moments. But Pierce has looked every bit of his age (38), slowly getting up and down the court, his offensive game down to him shooting 16.7% from the field in the three games he has appeared in this series.

DeAndre Jordan is the top man in the playoffs in rebounds (15.3 per game) and blocked shots (3.25), but the bulk of his offense comes from lob passes from Paul.

So who will the Clippers turn to now?

“As a group,” Rivers said late Monday night, “everybody pitches in.”

Twitter: @BA_Turner