New Orleans Hornets' Chris Paul out for season with finger injury

New Orleans Hornets All-Star point guard Chris Paul will miss the rest of the season due to a ligament tear in his right middle finger, the team said on Wednesday.

No surgery is required for Paul's injury and the timetable for his return to basketball activities is about seven weeks, according to the team''s website (http:www.nba.comhornets).

"It has been a very difficult season for me in terms of injuries," said Paul, who already missed time this season with knee and ankle injuries.

"I hate not being out on the court helping my team, but the best thing for me to do is to get completely healthy. I am hopeful to be back playing basketball by June." 

Paul, a three-times NBA All-Star and the league's rookie of the year for the 2005-06 season, averaged 18.7 points, 10.7 assists and 2.1 steals in 45 games this season.

New Orleans cannot qualify for the NBA playoffs and their regular season will end on April 14.