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Hornets hope to persevere without Paul against Trail Blazers

Dec 27, 2006 - 4:28 PM New Orleans (11-16) at Portland (12-16) 10:00 pm EST

PORTLAND, Oregon (Ticker) -- The New Orleans Hornets have been struggling lately. Things figure to only get worse without Chris Paul.

Dealing with numerous injuries, the Hornets visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday.

Paul sprained his right ankle in the opening quarter of Tuesday's 102-94 loss to Seattle. Although X-rays were negative, Paul is expected to miss up to four games.

The reigning Rookie of the Year, Paul will have plenty of company on the sidelines. Forward Peja Stojakovic (back spasms), forward David West (right elbow) and reserve guard Bobby Jackson (cracked left rib) are all injured. Stojakovic and West are out indefinitely while Jackson hopes to return at the beginning of January.

Replacing Paul, Jannero Pargo scored a season-high 23 points for the Hornets, who shot 46 percent (37-of-81) en route to losing for the sixth time in seven games.

Jarrett Jack and Zach Randolph scored 18 points apiece for the Trail Blazers, who dropped a 110-87 decision to red-hot Phoenix on Tuesday. After a five-game winning streak, Portland has lost two straight.

Portland won its only meeting against the Hornets this season, 92-91, on November 10.