Ahead of Tuesday's finale to the Washington Wizards' two-game homestand, the Golden State Warriors revealed that former All-Star guard Chris Paul has been made available to return from injury.
Warriors guard Chris Paul – out since Jan. 5 due to fractured hand – is listed as available to return Tuesday vs. Wizards.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 26, 2024
The return for Paul would end a 21-game absence for the 12-time All-Star. This season, Paul is averaging 8.9 points and 7.2 assists on 27.6 minutes of action per game. His veteran presence provides a spark for a Warriors team that enters Tuesday's matchup with an 8-2 record over their last ten games.
Chris Paul set to return from injury in Warriors' visit to D.C.
For the Wizards, Paul's return to the District is a reunion of sorts. The 38-year-old guard was traded from Phoenix to Washington in June as part of the Suns' return for Bradley Beal. A month later, the Wizards moved Paul to the Warriors in exchange for Jordan Poole, Patrick Baldwin Jr., Ryan Rollins, and draft compensation.
While Paul never played for the Wizards, his brief stint in the District and what Washington received in their exchange with Golden State has had serious ramifications on the Wizards' season. Poole averages 29.3 minutes per game this season, second only to Kyle Kuzma for the team lead.
In the first of their two matchups this season at the Chase Center on December 22nd, the Warriors defeated the Wizards, 129-118. A close game early on was derailed in the second half as the Wizards failed to score for nearly five consecutive minutes late in the third quarter. Poole led the way for Washington, pouring in 25 points in 27 minutes.
Paul was held in check by the Wizards in December's clash, finishing the night with just four points. Coach Brian Keefe will hope to continue that success on Tuesday and steer his team away from dropping their 12th-consecutive game.
The Washington Wizards face-off with the Golden State Warriors Tuesday night at the Capital One Arena.