Chris Paul is set to return to the Phoenix Suns‘ lineup Thursday night in what is expected to be his first action since fracturing his right thumb last month.
The Suns are listing their star point guard as probable for their Western Conference showdown against the Denver Nuggets.
Paul hasn’t played since Feb. 16, when he hurt his thumb during the third quarter of a game against the visiting Houston Rockets. He was ejected for picking up a pair of technical fouls immediately after the play happened and was seen grabbing at his hand as he exited the court.
Paul did play in the All-Star Game the following weekend, wearing a wrap on his right hand.
But the Suns ruled him out indefinitely with the injury shortly thereafter, and ESPN reported at the time that he was expected to miss six to eight weeks.
Paul is averaging 14.9 points and 10.7 assists for the Suns, who continue to soar in the Western Conference, carrying a 59-14 record into Thursday night’s contest against the Nuggets (43-30). They are 11-4 since Paul was hurt.
Phoenix can clinch the best record in the West (and best overall record) with a win or a Memphis Grizzlies loss to the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night.