Hornets' Chris Paul returns from ankle injury

Wednesday, January 31st 2007, 11:32 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Reigning Rookie of the Year Chris Paul returned to the New Orleans Hornets' lineup Wednesday night after missing the previous month with a severely sprained right ankle.

Coach Byron Scott says he saw Paul warming up on a television monitor when he entered the Ford Center, and Paul almost beat him to his office. Once there, Paul bounced up and down to show that his ankle was healthy.

Paul's 18.4-point average is tops on the Hornets and he ranks third in the league with an average of nine assists. He returned to practice for the first time Tuesday, and went through the Hornets' shootaround Wednesday morning.

Paul said if his ankle was hurting, he wouldn't play.

The Hornets went 8-and-9 without Paul, including a three-game winning streak to start their current five-game homestand. Since Paul was hurt, the Hornets have had starting forward David West (elbow surgery) and backup guard Bobby Jackson (cracked ribs) return from injuries.

With Paul back, Scott says he's considering altering his starting lineup to move Devin Brown into the shooting guard position and make Rasual Butler one of his first reserves off the bench to sub for small forward Desmond Mason. Brown, who signed with the Hornets as a free agent in December, took over Paul's starting role after his injury.

Jackson and Jannero Pargo will also continue in reserve roles.

The Hornets are still without Peja Stojakovic, who had back surgery in December and isn't expected back until March.