Suns’ Chris Paul finishes outside of top-3 in NBA’s MVP voting
May 20, 2021, 5:06 PM | Updated: 5:23 pm
Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns shoots a free-throw shot against the LA Clippers during the NBA game at Phoenix Suns Arena on April 28, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Clippers 109-101. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
No Most Valuable Player award for the Phoenix Suns’ Chris Paul this season.
Paul did not finish top-3 in the NBA’s MVP voting, as the league released the three finalists for its awards on Thursday.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid were the trio.
Paul became a popular name to make an MVP case for, with him receiving lots of credit for Phoenix’s turnaround.
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The Suns went from five games under .500 (34-39) last year to 30 games over .500 (51-21) this season.
Paul averaged 16.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 8.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game while enjoying one of the most efficient seasons of his career.
The 35-year-old’s 49.9 field goal percentage was the second-highest of his career, his top mark since 50.3% with the New Orleans Hornets 12 seasons ago.
He led the NBA in free throw percentage at 93.4% and a 39.5% conversion rate from three-point range was his highest since the 2016-17 season.
Paul helped return the Suns to the playoffs for the first time in over a decade and it’s a tall task ahead in taking down the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round. Game 1 is set for 12:30 p.m. Sunday and you can hear it on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.
