Hornets G Paul to miss at least two games with ankle injury

Dec 27, 2006 - 8:54 PM PORTLAND, Oregon (Ticker) -- The New Orleans Hornets will be without reigning Rookie of the Year Chris Paul for at least two games.

Paul sprained his right ankle when he landed on Seattle center Johan Petro's left foot with 1:18 remaining in the first quarter of the Hornets' 102-94 loss on Tuesday night.

"We're going to wait for the swelling to go down," Hornets coach Byron Scott said. "For sure, he's out at Portland (on Wednesday) and he'll probably be out of the Denver game (on Friday)."

Jannero Pargo replaced Paul at point guard and scored a season-high 23 points. But Seattle's Luke Ridnour was able to drive past Pargo at will, scoring 27 points on 11-of-17 shooting.

Pargo had been starting at shooting guard. Scott indicated after Tuesday's loss that Devin Brown would start at shooting guard on Wednesday.

Scott has had to deal with numerous injuries. The Hornets are already without three other starters - forwards Peja Stojakovic (back) and David West (right elbow) and guard Bobby Jackson (cracked left rib).

Perhaps the league's quickest guard, Paul is averaging 18.4 points and 9.0 assists this season. He had six points and seven assists before suffering the injury in the loss at Seattle.

Selected fourth overall in 2005, Paul averaged 16.1 points, 7.8 assists and 5.1 rebounds in 78 games during his rookie campaign. The 6-foot guard also led the league with 175 steals.