Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul participated in full-contact practice Tuesday morning in Beijing for the first time since undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb in August, according to the team’s official website.

“Chris practiced today pretty much the whole practice; that obviously changes things when he’s out there,” Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro told Clippers.com. “He played well. He’s just got to get in better game condition. He’s been out for a while, but there’s no question he’s a factor when he’s out there no matter what kind of shape he’s in.”

Paul underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb in August after injuring it during Team USA’s training camp in Las Vegas back in July.

Before leaving for China, where the Clippers will play two exhibition games against the Miami Heat on Thursday in Beijing and Sunday in Shanghai, Paul said he didn’t anticipate playing overseas but did hope to play in at least one preseason game before the regular-season opener Oct. 31 against the Memphis Grizzlies.

via Arash Markazi of ESPNLosAngeles.com