Suns’ Chris Paul returns with double-double in win vs. Nuggets

Chris Paul, as you would expect, looked like Chris Paul in his first game back since suffering an avulsion fracture in his right thumb.

Paul had 17 points and 13 assists for the Phoenix Suns in a 140-130 win over the Denver Nuggets, a strong offensive showing as a whole for the team.

Phoenix shot 60.5%, hit 13 3s and had 32 assists.

Paul started slow, which is not unlike him. He only took two shots in the first half, taking his 13 minutes on the floor to get his feel back while setting up his teammates after missing 15 games.

He made one of those looks, his signature midrange jumper while floating through the lane.

You think Chris Paul is feeling better? pic.twitter.com/dE1AtO2xpZ

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Paul looked much more like himself in the second half, scoring 15 of his 17 points.

Paul ended up at 30 minutes on the night, a tad higher than head coach Monty Williams wanted.

Devin Booker had a season-high 49 points, plus 10 assists.

Paul’s return came five weeks and a day after he sustained the injury to his thumb in a win over the Houston Rockets he was ejected during, Phoenix’s last game before the All-Star break. Paul was originally given a timeline to be re-evaluated in 6-8 weeks.

The 36-year-old future Hall of Famer had previously not missed a game, starting all 58 potential appearances and averaging 14.9 points and a league-leading 10.7 assists per game. He made his second straight All-Star team as a member of the Suns.

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