Billups back in practice with Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers guard Chauncey Billups practiced with the team Tuesday, a step forward in his recovery from left Achilles tendon surgery performed in February.
Billups missed the final 44 games of last season with the foot injury. He is aiming for a return to action in November or December.
"I think one of the things in getting over injuries like that is the mental aspect of it, and I've been great with that," he said, according to the Los Angeles Times. "I don't even think about it at all. I just think about my move and what I'm doing, just basketball instincts. That hurdle has been cleared, so it's just about me becoming me again."
Billups, 36, averaged 15 points and four assists in 20 games last season, his year with the Clippers.
His star backcourt mate, Chris Paul, had right thumb surgery in August, but Paul returned to action Sunday in Shanghai during an exhibition game against the Miami Heat. Paul played 22 minutes and had four points, five rebounds and six assists.
The Clippers play a preseason game Wednesday against the Utah Jazz.
"(Wednesday) is actually the first game that the doctors really cleared me to play," Paul said, according to ESPN.com. "I begged them when I was overseas because a lot of my friends that have supported since I was a rookie were there, and they let me play a few minutes, but (Wednesday) is really the go date."
