Chris Paul sustained a fractured left index finger during practice Saturday

With Chris Paul out with an injured left index finger, the Clippers were defeated 106-94 by the Charlotte Hornets in Shinzhen, China in a game that began at 10:30 p.m. Saturday night Pacific time and finished about 12:40 a.m. Sunday.

According to a statement released by the Clippers, Paul fractured his finger during practice Saturday. The release indicated Paul is not expected to miss much time.

Reserve guard Austin Rivers also missed the game with what the Clippers described as “mouth trauma” sustained Friday in practice.

J.J. Redick led the Clippers with 23 points, Josh Smith scored 14 off the bench and Blake Griffin had 13 points on 6 of 14 shooting, with nine rebounds and 10 assists. Jamal Crawford contributed 12 points.

The Clippers shot 43.5 percent, the Hornets 48.2.

Jeremy Lin took advantage of Paul’s absence by scoring 16 points off the bench to help lead Charlotte, which is now 3-0 in exhibition play. The Clippers are 2-1. Cody Zeller also had 16 points off the bench for Charlotte, to go along with 10 rebounds.

Former Clippers post Spencer Hawes had 10 points on 4 of 14 shooting for the Hornets, as well as 13 rebounds.

The Clippers were out-rebounded 48-40 and have been out-rebounded in all three exhibition games.

Pablo Prigioni started in Paul’s place and scored five points while doling out seven assists.

The teams play each other again Wednesday in Shanghai, which is about 890 miles from Shenzhen.