Chris Paul is slated to return for the Warriors tomorrow against the Wizards.
The Warriors will start their four-game journey to the East Coast with a full lineup.
Chris Paul, a 12-time All-Star point guard, is expected to return to action on Tuesday in Washington after missing nearly two months with a fractured hand. Head coach Steve Kerr will have a full roster of rotation players to choose from as they begin a stretch of away games against the Wizards, Knicks, Raptors, and Celtics.
Paul’s return to the lineup will give Golden State a second-unit backcourt that includes two future Hall of Famers: Paul and Klay Thompson. However, it will give Kerr additional options for the closing lineup, as those two and Brandin Podziemski will most likely compete for one slot.
Kerr referred to that dynamic as a “numbers crunch.” Thompson believes Paul will “right the ship” when Steph Curry needs a rest. Curry went on to say: “You’d be an idiot to not think CP can help us.”
“When he got hurt, we were not in a great place,” Curry remarked on Sunday. “We’re trying to establish our identity. We’ve had a fairly decent run and gained some momentum since he was out. But he’s such a connector and floor general, putting everyone in the right place. So whether I’m on the bench or we’re on the court at the same time, it should help us go to the next level.”
Paul has been sidelined since January 5, when he shattered his left hand while attempting a long
rebound. The 38-year-old has suffered the same or comparable injuries multiple times throughout his
19-year career.
During the All-Star break, Paul was cleared to play basketball. He told Kerr that he played a lot during
the break and was fully engaged in practice this week. The team expected him to be cleared to return at
some point during their trip, so seeing him back against Washington indicates that the last steps of his
recovery went well.
Prior to his hand injury, Paul was one of Golden State’s most consistent performers this season. He was in seven of the Warriors’ ten most effective lineups and frequently completed games. His all-around skill set and basketball IQ allow him to fit in with a number of teammate combinations, and his playmaking abilities should benefit Dario Saric, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Thomspon.
