Chris Paul has returned from a broken thumb injury sooner than expected. 

Paul came back Thursday night when the Phoenix Suns played the Denver Nuggets. The Suns beat the Nuggets 140 to 130.

He missed 15 games over five weeks after his injury in mid-February.

The Suns were worried he would miss the season, but Paul had been active in recent practices in a push to get back on the court.