PHOENIX SUNS

Suns’ Chris Paul becomes oldest with 30 points, 10 assists in playoff game

Apr 18, 2022, 8:47 AM | Updated: 12:27 pm

Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul scored 19 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter to keep the New Orleans Pelicans at bay and set a milestone in Sunday’s Game 1 at Footprint Center.

In the 110-99 victory, Paul became the oldest player in NBA playoffs history to score 30 points with 10 assists at 36 years, 346 days old, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

He passed former Suns point guard and hall of famer Steve Nash, who accomplished the feat in the same building during Game 1 of the 2010 Western Conference Semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs. His performance also led to a win for Phoenix.

In a span of six possessions in the fourth quarter Sunday, Paul walked into a three-pointer, drew a double team and set up center JaVale McGee for an open dunk, nailed two more threes, cooked Pelicans forward Larry Nance Jr. on a switch for a layup and hit a short fadeaway jumper from the baseline.

New Orleans cut the deficit to seven before that stretch, and the Suns went up by 14 after Paul’s jump shot.

“I spent most of the game setting my teammates up, trying to make sure they (were) going,” Paul told the NBA on TNT crew after the final whistle. “Just because I don’t shoot much, doesn’t mean I can’t shoot. It was just a good game for us.”

Paul hit seven of eight shots in the fourth quarter and 12 of 16 for the game.

The veteran also became the fifth player to reach 10 playoff games of 30 points and 10 assists. The other four are LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Jerry West and Oscar Robertson, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

The Suns and Pelicans square off for Game 2 of the first-round playoff matchup Tuesday night at 7 p.m. Tune to 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station for all the action.

Phoenix Suns

Suns...

Kellan Olson

Shorthanded Suns hit wall offensively in loss to Nuggets

It was a steep uphill climb for the shorthanded Phoenix Suns on the second night of a back-to-back.

3 minutes ago

Bol Bol...

Damon Allred

Suns’ Bol Bol throws wild behind-the-back pass, sets up Damion Lee 3-pointer

Bol Bol took advantage of early minutes against the Nuggets by throwing a wild behind-the-back pass for an assist and following it up with a dunk.

3 hours ago

Tom Izzo...

Associated Press

Tom Izzo ties Bob Knight’s Big Ten record with Mat Ishbia on hand for championship reunion

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo tied Bob Knight's Big Ten record for wins with Suns owner Mat Ishbia among the former champions attending for their team reunion.

5 hours ago

Suns' Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal questionable against the Denver Nuggets....

Arizona Sports

Suns rule Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal out for Saturday’s game vs. Nuggets

The Suns listed Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal as questionable for Saturday's game against the Denver Nuggets.

5 hours ago

Suns...

Kellan Olson

Suns avoid disaster, secure OT win via Booker and Allen heroics

We are better off not reviewing where the Phoenix Suns' 135-127 overtime victory over the Utah Jazz lands on the spectrum between nearly disastrous loss and spirit-lifting win.

22 hours ago

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots in front of Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler during the f...

Lance Hartzler

Devin Booker drops season-high 47, Grayson Allen hits buzzer-beater in win over Jazz

Devin Booker dropped a season-high 47, and Grayson Allen hit a pair of clutch 3s en route to a win over the Utah Jazz Friday night.

24 hours ago

Suns’ Chris Paul becomes oldest with 30 points, 10 assists in playoff game