Chris Paul, point guard for the Hornets, will need surgery on his left foot after an exam Wednesday revealed a stress reaction, Byron Scott said Thursday.

Paul, however, has been cleared to play in the final 18 games of the regular season, including the team's March 23 game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the New Orleans Arena.

"He's going have to put a screw in there, period," Scott said. "If we did it tomorrow or a month from now, he'll be all right for training camp next year."