With return around the corner, Rockets' Chris Paul ramps up workout sessions

Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul, left, talks to guard James Harden (13) as he walks back upcourt during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Toyota Center on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) less Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul, left, talks to guard James Harden (13) as he walks back upcourt during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Toyota Center on ... more Photo: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle Photo: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 21 Caption Close With return around the corner, Rockets' Chris Paul ramps up workout sessions 1 / 21 Back to Gallery

With the Rockets hoping to have guard Chris Paul ready to play Thursday in Phoenix, Paul ramped up his workouts on Sunday and is scheduled for intense sessions again on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Paul has been out since the Oct. 17 season opener because of a bruised left knee suffered Oct. 11 in Memphis.

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After a light day on Monday with the Rockets off following the back-to-back, Paul is expected to go through a more extense workout on Tuesday and the Rockets' practice on Wednesday. The Rockets would not decide when he will play until Thursday when they can measure how he responds to the practice sessions and the flight to Phoenix.

“We don’t want to push it,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said. “If not Thursday, then we’ll see about Saturday (in Memphis). He worked out hard (Sunday.) We’ll see how he feels Tuesday and Wednesday. That (having Paul play on Thursday) is what we’re shooting for.”