NEW ORLEANS (AP) - All-Star point guard Chris Paul returned to the Hornets' starting lineup as New Orleans hosted the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.
Hornets coach Byron Scott said about an hour before tip-off that Paul's four-game absence, caused by a strained right groin in a loss to Portland on Feb. 2, was over and that Paul was ready to play.Scott said he'd seen Paul run full speed in two workouts leading up to Wednesday night's game and that trainers cleared Paul to play the day before the game. However, Scott said he wanted to wait until shortly before the game to make his final decision. The coach added he did not expect Paul to play much more than 30 minutes
Paul's return to action against Boston also increased the likelihood he would play in Sunday's All-Star game in Phoenix.
Meanwhile, Scott said starting center Tyson Chandler (left ankle) would miss his 12th straight game, meaning he would not return until after the All-Star break.
