Suns' Paul (heel) expected back against Celtics

Suns prima Chris Paul is expected to play for the archetypal clip successful a period erstwhile Phoenix hosts the Boston Celtics Wednesday night.

Paul, who has been retired since Nov. 7 erstwhile helium suffered a bottommost injury that forced him to permission a nonaccomplishment to the Philadelphia 76ers, is listed arsenic questionable for the game, but he's expected to play if determination are nary setbacks aft moving out.

"I consciousness beauteous good," Paul told reporters successful Phoenix. "I'm going to spot however I consciousness aft this and spell from there."

The Suns person gone 9-5 implicit the past period with Paul sidelined and participate the crippled (10 p.m. ET, ESPN) successful archetypal spot successful the Western Conference for a 2nd consecutive season.

Paul, 37, is averaging 9.5 points and 9.4 assists crossed 10 games this season. The 9.5 points would easy beryllium the lowest of Paul's career, arsenic helium has ne'er averaged little than the 14.7 helium posted past season. He's besides shooting career-worsts from the tract (36.8%) and 3-point enactment (27.3%).

Boston is going to beryllium without starting halfway Al Horford, who entered the NBA's wellness and information protocols Wednesday. Guard Malcolm Brogdon was listed arsenic disposable aft a non-COVID illness.

The Celtics, who began a six-game roadworthy travel with wins successful Brooklyn connected Sunday and Toronto connected Monday, person the NBA's champion grounds astatine 20-5. Boston adjacent plays Saturday successful San Francisco against the Golden State Warriors earlier a back-to-back successful Los Angeles adjacent Monday and Tuesday.