Injured Paul takes another step forward

Chris Paul worked out on the court Thursday, a positive sign in his attempt to overcome a strained left hamstring.

Clippers coach Doc Rivers said on a teleconference that “everything is going well” with the All-Star guard, but Paul’s status is unknown heading into Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Rockets on Friday night in Los Angeles. The teams split the first two games in Houston.

Paul has gone from doing nothing to working out in a pool on Wednesday to getting on the court.

“Those are the right steps,” Rivers said. “My guess is it’s going to come down to the eye-and-feel test.

“With hamstrings, there really is no gauge.”

Paul, who turned 30 on Wednesday, sat out the first two games against the Rockets after getting hurt helping the Clippers hold off the defending NBA champion Spurs in Game 7 of the teams’ first-round series on Saturday.

While on the bench, Paul has been a coach-cheerleader for his teammates.

Wall has fractures: John Wall has five non-displaced fractures in his left wrist and hand, and the All-Star guard’s status has not been determined.

Wall injured the hand bracing himself as he fell along the baseline during Game 1 of the Wizards’ Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Hawks. He remained in the game and finished with 18 points and 13 assists in the Wizards’ 104-98 win.

Initial X-rays were negative, but “multiple examinations” on Wednesday revealed the injuries, the Wizards announced Thursday.

“With the swelling, we knew maybe there was not good news there,” Wizards coach Randy Wittman said. “We’re still consulting with doctors (because) it’s still pretty swollen.”

NBA fines Brewer: The NBA fined the Rockets’ Corey Brewer $5,000 for flopping. Brewer was penalized Thursday for tumbling backward well beyond the baseline and crashing into the basket stanchion after stepping in front of Clippers guard Lester Hudson in the Rockets’ 115-109 win on Wednesday. Hudson was called for a foul.