Chris Paul expected to play Sunday vs. Heat

Chris Paul is expected to make his 2012 preseason debut after undergoing offseason thumb surgery that saw the All-Star guard miss more than two months, according to the Los Angeles Clippers' official team website.

Paul was medically cleared for contact just three days ago, and will likely suit up as the Clippers take on the Miami Heat in the second game of a two-game series in the 2012 NBA China Games series. Paul was part of a Team USA Gold Medal-winning squad at the 2012 London Olympics. Just days after the final game in London, he had the surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb.

He was able to practice in a limited capacity while recovering from the injury, but only recently was able to participate in full-contact drills while the Clippers were in Beijing.

Paul will be called upon to lead a young Clippers team that showed a lot of promise in 2011-2012 postseason, but eventually lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Semifinals.