Chris Paul is set to return to the Phoenix Suns for Game 3 after passing NBA COVID-19 health and safety protocols per Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes.
Paul, who tested positive for COVID-19 on June 16 but showed no symptoms, passed a required cardio exam to rejoin the team.
Since Paul, 36, was vaccinated, his quarantine time was reduced from the typical 10-14 days.
The 11-time NBA All-Star isn’t sure how he contracted the virus but was alerted he had tested positive when he traveled to LA to visit his family following the Suns’ sweep of the Nuggets.
Phoenix is now up 2-0 against the Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Conference finals, after a dramatic last-second win in Phoenix.
With just 0.8 seconds remaining in the game and the Suns down by one point, Jae Crowder threw an alley-oop pass to Deandre Ayton for the 104-103 win.
Paul, who spent six years with the Clippers, will join the Suns in Los Angeles for Game 3 at the Staples Center.
The six-foot guard is averaging 15.7 points and 8.7 assists these playoffs despite sustaining a shoulder injury in Game 1 against the Lakers and missing the first two games of this series.
Still, coach Monte Williams’ young team has answered the call.
Devin Booker, who is playing in his first playoffs since he joined the NBA, is averaging 28.3 points per game and has had multiple 40-point games including his first triple-double, which came against the Clippers.
Ayton has been huge for the Suns since their opening-round win against the defending champs.
The 22-year-old is averaging 16.3 points and 10.8 rebounds.
Game 3 tip-off is Thursday at 9 ET.