Chris Paul participates in first full contact practice since thumb surgery – NBA News
The Los Angeles Clippers received good news on Tuesday morning when their All Star point guard Chris Paul was cleared by team doctors to participate in full contact practice. The Clippers are currently in Beijing where they will play two preseason exhibition games against the Miami Heat as part of the NBA China Games. Paul underwent surgery in August to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb that was suffered during team USA’s training camp in Las Vegas back in July for the London Olympics. This is the first time Paul participated in an all contact practice with the team since his surgery.
“Chris practiced today pretty much the whole practice; that obviously changes things when he's out there. He played well. He's just got to get in better game condition. He's been out for a while, but there's no question he's a factor when he's out there no matter what kind of shape he's in,” said Clippers Head Coach Vinny Del Negro.
Paul is not expected to play in any of the two exhibition games that the Clippers will play against the Heat on Thursday and Sunday, but hopes to play at least in one preseason game back home before the Clippers open their season against the Memphis Grizzlies on October 31st.
“It felt great (to practice. I actually felt like I was part of the team. I was a little winded out there, but it felt good to get back out there and get in the mix. I felt fine because I haven't done anything for so long. I'm pretty well rested, so I was excited to get out there and play,” said Paul.
The news comes just four days after the team’s veteran back up point guard Chauncey Billups was cleared by the team doctors to participate in contact drills for the first time since he had a surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon back in February. Billups was expected to be back by the time the new season started, but is still not ready to play and the team is expecting a November return to action. With Billups and Paul progressing well with their respective injuries, the Clippers will breathe a sigh of relief and look to open the new season on a high note, riding on the confidence from last year.
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