Chris Paul says he'll be ready for Clippers' season opener

Los Angeles Clippers All-Star Chris Paul told reporters on Sunday that he plans to be ready for the team's season opener at the end of October, according to an ESPN report.

Paul went through basketball drills for the first time at without a protective brace around his surgically repaired right thumb on Monday at Clippers headquarters, noting that Sunday morning's practice was the best he's felt in a while:

"Today was the first day they actually allowed me to shoot layups, so today was the best day ever," Paul told ESPNLosAngeles.com. "I hope I get a preseason game in before the season. I probably have to start off the season wearing a brace, but I get to wear the brace less and less. I wear it when I go to sleep, but I'm on track. I go to rehab every single morning at 6:30 a.m."

Paul underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb last month after injuring it during Team USA's training camp in Las Vegas back in July. The Clippers' first game of the season will be against the Memphis Grizzlies on Oct. 31 from the Staples Center.