PHOENIX SUNS

Suns PG Chris Paul following Game 7 loss to Mavericks: ‘I ain’t retiring’

May 16, 2022, 4:12 PM

At age 37, Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul is closer to retirement than most in the NBA. There’s no other way to put it.

So naturally, the topic was on the mind of many following his team’s Game 7 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night.

Paul left nothing to be interpreted. He’ll be back for Year 18.

“They said that last year. They probably said it back in ’08. You play long enough and you don’t win, every time you lose, they’re gonna say it’s your best chance. … But we’ll be back next year. I’ll tell you that much. I ain’t retiring tomorrow, thank God. Hopefully I’m healthy, come back but we’ll keep playing.”

Paul put together a strong regular season, averaging 14.7 points, 10.8 assists and 4.4 rebounds over 32.9 minutes played per game. He shot 49.3% from the field and 31.7% from long range.

He kept that play up through the first round of the playoffs against the New Orleans Pelicans, highlighted by a 14-of-14 effort in Game 6, but ran into trouble against the Mavericks.

From Game 3 on, which coincidentally landed on Paul’s 37th birthday, Paul’s play took a major dip.

Over the final five games of the Suns’ playoff run, Paul averaged 9.4 points, 5.8 assists and 3.4 rebounds over 32.2 minutes.

Now, it’s back to the lab for Paul and Co. this offseason as they look to get back to the postseason for a third straight season.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Phoenix Suns

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

5 hours ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

9 hours ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

12 hours ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: How the Suns lost to the Spurs before they stepped on the court

Burns & Gambo react to the Phoenix Suns stunning loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and try to figure out why it happened.

1 day ago

Suns PG Chris Paul following Game 7 loss to Mavericks: ‘I ain’t retiring’