Chris Paul hits several milestones in Game 1 performance: By the numbers

Suns point guard Chris Paul took over down the stretch as he led his Phoenix squad to a victory on Monday and hit a couple of milestones in his Game 1 performance against the Denver Nuggets.

Paul looked like the 11-time All-Star Suns fans had been accustomed to seeing throughout his first year in the Valley.

With his veteran leadership, Paul not only had an impressive game for Phoenix but also achieved what few others have been able to accomplish during their NBA careers.

The Suns outscored the Nuggets in the second half of the second-round series opener, 65-47.

Much of the Suns’ second half push was due to Paul’s performance of facilitating and draining critical buckets.

By the numbers, here’s a look at the nine-time All-NBA guard’s Game 1 body of work.

34

The Suns point guard scored or assisted on 20 of Phoenix’s final 34 points.

Paul ended the night with 21 points and 11 assists, turning over the ball just once.

It was the ninth time in Paul’s career where he finished a playoff game with at least 20 points, 10 assists and one or fewer turnovers. In doing so, Paul passed LeBron James for the most in the league with that stat line since turnovers were first tracked in 1977-78.

1965

Along with his 21 point and 11 assists in Game 1, Paul was also able to collect six rebounds for Phoenix. He was the first player age 36 or older with a 20/5/10 stat line in a playoff game since 1965.

💪🏾✊🏾🙏🏾 https://t.co/cxFVxlP6cQ

— Chris Paul (@CP3) June 8, 2021

36

Paul became just the third player in NBA history ages 36 or older to put up a double-double with 20 points and 10 assists in the playoffs, joining Hall-of-Famers Steve Nash and John Stockton.

Chris Paul joins Steve Nash & John Stockton as the only players 36 years or older with 20 points and 10 assist in playoff game in the last 30 years. pic.twitter.com/QiifXcqBJE

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 8, 2021