Paul returns with a bang as Hornets down Minnesota

By Bud L. Ellis

Welcome back Chris Paul … doesn’t look like you were ever gone.

Actually, the New Orleans star point guard had missed eight games with a left ankle sprain. But you’d never know from watching Paul rip through the Minnesota Timberwolves Friday night.

Paul returned to the court with 16 points, 15 assists, eight steals and six rebounds in 38 minutes, an impressive return as the Hornets notched a 98-89 win over Minnesota.

Down 49-44 with time winding down near the end of the first half, Paul grabbed a rebound and was fouled on a 3-point attempt. Paul hit all three free throws to cut the deficit to two at the half.

Paul hit on six of 13 shots from the floor, helping New Orleans shoot 50 percent from the floor. Devin Brown led New Orleans with 19 points, hitting seven of 10 shots from the floor, including three 3-pointers. Emeka Okafor and David West each added 17 points, Okafor pulling down 13 rebounds.

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Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 12:52 am by bud

Tags: Chris Paul, David West, Devin Brown, Emeka Okafor, Minnesota Timberwolves, National Basktetball Association, New Orleans Hornets