Clippers’ Darren Collison has thrived in replacing injured Chris Paul
It’s not a new thing for Darren Collison to start in place of All-Star point guard Chris Paul.
And it’s not a new thing for Collison to have success when he has started for an injured Paul.
It’s just that Clippers fans are seeing Collison playing his best basketball of the season now that he is starting for Paul, who will be out up to six weeks with a separation of his right shoulder.
Collison has started 42 games in his career in place of Paul, starting with 37 games when the two played in New Orleans and Paul was out with ankle, knee and finger injuries.
Collison has started five games this season for Paul, including the last four in a row. In those four games, there has been an uptick in Collison’s play.
He is averaging 17.5 points per game during this stretch, 6.5 assists and 2.3 steals. He’s shooting 65.8% from the field, 60% from three-point range.
“I just try to keep it simple,” Collison said. “I’ve been inserted into the first unit and I play my game.”
During the 42 games he has started in place of Paul, Collison has averaged 18.6 points, 8.7 assists and 1.6 steals. He has made 49.5% of his shots, 44.8% of his three-pointers.
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