Chauncey Billups’ participation in Thursday’s drills wasn’t much, but it was more than the day before.

Coach Vinny Del Negro said the veteran guard again went through a few contact drills for the first time, joining Chris Paul in the back court, but didn’t stay on the court for the entire practice.

Billups tore his Achilles tendon in a game against Orlando last February and had surgery less than two weeks later to repair it.

Paul, who is recovering from thumb surgery, said Thursday he was “pretty close” to being able to practice fully.

via Janis Carr of The Orange County Register