PHOENIX SUNS

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

Jun 8, 2021, 12:02 PM | Updated: 12:06 pm

Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns drives the ball past Facundo Campazzo #7 of the Denver Nuggets du...

Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns drives the ball past Facundo Campazzo #7 of the Denver Nuggets during the second half in Game One of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on June 07, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Nuggets 122-105. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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.

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.

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