The Los Angeles Clippers got a boost yesterday as Chris Paul participated in his first full-contact practice this season.  He had been sidelined since having surgery to repair a torn ligament in his thumb. The surgery took place after the end of last season and has kept Paul from full practices until now.

According to Arash Markazi of ESPN Los Angeles, Paul took part in the Clippers' full-contact practice in Beijing yesterday.  The team is in China to play two exhibition games against the Miami Heat.  Paul will not play in China but hopes to play in at least one preseason game says Markazi.



Chris Paul is entering his second season with the Los Angeles Clippers after spending his entire career with the New Orleans Hornets.  He came to Los Angeles in a blockbuster trade in December of last year.  The Hornets sent Paul to Los Angeles while the Clippers sent Eric Gordon, Al-Farouq Aminu, and a first round draft pick to the Hornets.  It was a surprising deal after the Los Angeles Lakers seemed to have completed a trade for Paul not long before only to have it nullified.

Paul helps make the Clippers a far more exciting team.  Paired with Blake Griffin, the Clippers are on the upswing.  News of Paul's practice is an encouraging sign, and it seems he will be able to participate in at least one preseason game as he hoped.  This, of course, means he should be ready for the regular season.
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