Chris Paul returns after missing 21 - games with the Golden State Warriors

Back in Action 

The Golden State Warriors lost 12-9 without guard Chris Paul, who has been out since January 5 with a hand injury. Veteran guard Chris Paul returned to the Warriors' lineup Thursday against the Wizards after missing the past 21 games. In the 123-112 win, he played 22 minutes and had 9 points (3-6 FG), 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals.

Paul was injured during a 113-109 win over the Detroit Pistons in January and was sidelined while recovering from surgery on a fractured left hand. Five.

Before Tuesday's game, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he expected Paul to play every minute while Stephen Curry was off the court. That means Paul and former All-Star Klay Thompson will be Golden State's impact players, coming off the bench in 1-2 games.

"Chris is going to play every minute without Steph, and he's going to be with Steph," Kerr said, according to Warriors.com. “Having Chris makes it easier to take Steph off the ball and reduce wear and tear on the ball.”

What his return means: The 38-year-old is averaging 8.9 points, 7.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds in a career-high 27.6 minutes per game for the Warriors this season, but he's playing a career-high 27.6 minutes per game for the Warriors. I can see that number increasing even more as he plays behind the bench of . He was acquired from Washington on draft day for Jordan Poole after being traded to the Phoenix Wizards. Golden State (30-27) went 12-9 in Paul's absence and was 2-6 through the end of January. But the Warriors have found their footing since then, going 10-3 since January. That 30 is the fourth-best number in the league during this span.

This season could be the beginning of a new era for the Warriors, who have won four titles with a core of Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green. The trio, now each in their 30s, has help from first-year defenseman Brandin Podzemski and third-year forward Jonathan Kuminga.

The Warriors are 10th in the Western Conference, four games behind the sixth-seeded New Orleans Pelicans (34-24) and 3.5 games behind the Sacramento Kings (33-24) and Dallas Mavericks (33). It makes a difference in the game. -24) for seed numbers 7 and 8, respectively. Paul was injured with 6:08 left in the third quarter when he missed a 3-point shot from the right side and collided with Detroit's Jayden Ivey while trying to save a long rebound. Paul grabbed her hand before entering the locker room. He is scheduled to undergo surgery for his injury within four days.