Clippers' Paul has thumb surgery

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb, an injury that occurred last month before he played for the U.S. in the London Olympics.

The team said Paul had the surgery Tuesday and he is expected to be sidelined for eight weeks. That means the All-Star guard wouldn't resume basketball activities until mid-October. The Clippers open the season on Oct. 31 against Memphis.

The Clippers said Paul got hurt during the U.S. training camp in Las Vegas. Despite the injury, he went on to lead the U.S. men's team to a gold medal in London. Paul started all eight games in the Olympics, averaging 8.3 points, 5.1 assists and a tournament-best 2.5 steals.

Paul is the second Clippers star to have surgery this summer. All-Star forward Blake Griffin had arthroscopic surgery on July 16 to repair the medial meniscus tear of his left knee that he suffered while training with the U.S. team. The injury forced him to miss the Olympics, but he is expected to be ready for the start of the season.