Chris Paul Medically Cleared from Thumb Injury, Won't Play Thursday vs. Warriors

The Los Angeles Clippers will not get point guard Chris Paul back for their first game after the All-Star break Thursday at the Golden State Warriors.

Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times reported Paul was listed as out on the injury report ahead of Thursday's matchup.

On Wednesday, Rowan Kavner of the Clippers' official website reported head coach Doc Rivers announced Paul was medically cleared following January surgery to repair a torn thumb ligament.

Paul hasn't played since January 16 against the Oklahoma City Thunder when he injured his thumb. He had surgery two days later and was expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks.

It has been just over five weeks since Paul went under the knife. The fact he's already been medically cleared is a huge boost for the Clippers, who are four games behind the Houston Rockets for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.

At the time of Paul's injury, the Clippers had a 29-14 record. In 13 games without the nine-time All-Star, their record is just 6-7. He was having a typically stellar season at the time he got hurt, averaging 17.5 points, 9.7 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game.

The Clippers are potentially sleeping giants ready to wake up. They got Blake Griffin back from a knee injury toward the end of January. Even if Paul isn't ready to play, he's moving quicker to a return than anticipated.

With a lineup that also includes DeAndre Jordan, J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford, the Clippers have the ability to get hot at the right time with the playoffs less than two months away.