Chris Paul has been playing better basketball of late after going through a rough patch a few weeks ago that led many to wonder aloud if he was either injured or had been mentally disengaged.

“Ever since I got that knee brace off, I feel a lot freer,” said Paul.

Paul had 26 points, nine assists, five rebounds and three steals in the Hornet's victory on Wednesday over the Suns.

“That’s just the way it’s going,” Paul said of his surge. “It’s winning time. You can’t wait and hope other teams lose to get in position.”

“I put too much pressure on him to carry us every night,” said Coach Monty Williams, adding that if Paul doesn’t get around 25 points and 15 assists, whispers begin. “The bottom line is, to play at this level for 82 games is impossible. He’s one of the great ones. I feel like I put too much pressure on him at times.”