Just because Chris Paul hurried back from a torn thumb ligament doesn't mean New Orleans Hornets coach Byron Scott won't cringe every time his star rookie drives to the basket.

Paul, the NBA's top rookie in points, assists and steals, was supposed to miss at least two weeks after tearing the ligament on the inside of his right thumb. Instead, Paul sat out only one game and was back in the starting lineup for the Hornets' game against Detroit on Tuesday.

"I worry about him every day," Scott said after the Hornets' practice Thursday at the University of Oklahoma's Lloyd Noble Center, the site of their game Friday against Sacramento.

" ... Every game, there's a possibility of the thing getting hit and knocked out of place or something."