Hornets All-Star Chris Paul set for knee surgery

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - New Orleans point guard Chris Paul will have knee surgery and miss the All-Star game.

Hornets coach Jeff Bower said Paul will have surgery Thursday to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. Although Paul is likely to be sidelined for up to a month, Bower wouldn't give a timetable for his return.

"We are anticipating a very successful process," Bower said Wednesday. "We look forward to his return to action at some point later on. The time frame will be determined after the surgery. I won't speculate on that."

The NBA announced Paul was replaced on the Western Conference roster by Denver's Chauncey Billups for the All-Star game on Feb. 14 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Paul hurt the knee Jan. 27 against Golden State, then aggravated the injury when he collided with a camera while chasing an errant pass in the final seconds of regulation against the Chicago Bulls on Friday.

Paul averages a team-high 20.4 points and an NBA-best 11.2 assists. He was the runner-up to the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant for league MVP in 2007-08 and finished fifth last season.

Rookie Darren Collison has replaced Paul in the Hornets' lineup. The Hornets had won 12 of their last 16 before Paul got hurt.

Bower did not rule out bringing in a new player, but said a move was not imminent. The Hornets have three guards on the active roster - Collison, fellow rookie Marcus Thornton and veteran Morris Peterson.

"We're encouraged with the play of our current group and will continue to monitor that," Bower said. "We feel confident in their capabilities."