Mike D’Antoni Expects Chris Paul’s Return To The Rockets On Thursday

Chris Paul is healthy and the Houston Rockets are about to get a boost in their backcourt.

Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni told the media that the star point guard is “ready to go” and expects him to rejoin the lineup on Thursday night. D’Antoni told reporters that Paul will start for the Rockets, who play the Suns in Phoenix.

Paul got hurt in Houston’s first game against the Golden State Warriors to open the season for the new-look Rockets, who have gone 11-3 this year. But Paul is a boost according to D’Antoni, who expects him to return at full strength.

Houston was cautious with Paul’s recovery, but it’s clear getting him back in the lineup hits a sort of reset button for the team.

“When you put that big a rock into a pond there’s big waves,” D’Antino said.

James Harden has ran the point for the Rockets with Paul on the shelf, as he has ever since D’Antoni took over as the head coach in Houston. Now that Paul’s back, it will be interesting to watch how Harden’s role changes and how the two guards work together on the court.

“We’re going to figure out, one, to get him a chance to get into game shape and playing well and two, everybody’s rotation si a little bit different,” D’Antoni said. “So we’re going to have to endure the next two or three games and try to smooth it out as we go along.”

Paul, for his part, seems excited to get back out on the court.

“I’m going to go out and hoop tomorrow,” Paul said on Wednesday. “Might score 5. Might score 50.”

He doubted himself about the 50 shortly after that, but it’s clear that he’s ready to play.