NEW ORLEANS ― Hornets General Manager/Head Coach Jeff Bower said All-Start Chris Paul could return as soon as 7-10 days after he was finally cleared to begin some court work and running late this week.
“That’s something that is a good thing for us and now it’ll just be the regular transition from half speed to three quarters to full speed before he can return,” Bower said. “We’ll be cautious each step of the way with that. But we’re optimistic.”
Paul, who didn’t talk prior to the Hornets’ Friday night game against Denver, has been out of the lineup since having surgery Feb. 4 to clear up a torn meniscus in his left knee.
The key component of his return will be how he reacts to his daily running routine, which at first will consist of just straight-ahead running.
“It could take a week to 10 days,” Bower said. “It’ll all depend on his reaction following each workout as to how hard and how fast the progression can take place. But it’s truly a thing where after each day or so, you have to sit back and see how he is responding before you can increase the work load or stay at a similar work load.”
Though he was voted to play in the All-Star Game, he sat on the bench, watching while stuck on crutches.
Paul was averaging 20.4 points, 11.2 assists and 2.3 steals this season, though he has missed 27 games due to his knee and an early-season ankle injury.
Bower said he Paul will return regardless of how many games are left at the time that he is fully cleared.
“As long as the medical team is in agreement, that would be great,” Bower said. “If it’s five games, one game, 15 games – as long as he’s cleared for participation and is ready to play, that’s a great thing.”
