Chris Paul is progressing in his thumb injury recovery as expected, but Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams doesn't want to get hopes up that his point guard will be able to return soon after being able to get shots up.

The Suns playmaker was seen working out and shooting during the team's shootaround on Friday ahead of their showdown with the Toronto Raptors. In fact, he even won their shooting contest despite dealing with a right thumb injury. However, while Williams said that it's a good sign, it doesn't mean CP3 will be able to return earlier from the initial six to eight week-timeline after he sustained the issue.

“I wouldn't get too excited about it, it's just part of the normal progression of that type of injury,” Williams shared before adding that Paul also did light shooting in the previous week, per Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports.

Chris Paul's injury was announced before the All-Star Game in February, which pushed him to just play a few minutes in the annual festivity before being ruled out. Now, he is just in the third week of his recovery and still ways away from getting to full health, as Williams suggested.

Hopes are high that Paul can return in time for the playoffs. The Suns have already clinched a playoff spot–the first team to do so in the postseason–so Monty Williams, Devin Booker and the rest of the team can afford to give their veteran leader the time he needs to focus on his recovery without much pressure about the status of the team.

For what it's worth, Booker himself found a silver lining in Paul's injury. Since CP3 is already 36 years old, so getting that extra rest should give him fresher legs come playoff time when the stakes are high.

“I look at the beauty of it. He gets to rest his legs. He gets to get ready for a long postseason that we’re trying to make happen,” Booker shared.

Paul will be pivotal in the Suns' bid to return to the NBA Finals, where they'll look to avenge their loss. Hopefully, the Point God will be at his best as he seeks for this first NBA Championship.