The Chris Paul and Devin Booker led Phoenix Suns played their first matchup of the playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers tonight. This matchup between Lakers and the Suns was the marquee matchup of tonight’s playoff action.
Given that the higher seeded Suns are underdogs in this matchup, this series has turned out to be a must watch. The Suns were simply outstanding in the game and were the better team overall as they won 99-90. With this win, the Suns are 1-0 up in the series.
Chris Paul makes his name in playoff record books against Lakers
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The game got off to a great start as the Lakers simply had no answer for the Suns pick and roll. CP3 was on fire initially as he gave pinpoint assists to Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton for easy buckets.
But early in the second quarter, the Suns seemed to suffer from a massive set back as Paul suffered from a shoulder injury. As CP3 hobbled to the tunnel, the Suns seemed in massive trouble.
But five minutes later, the 35-year-old was back on the floor. Chris Paul is known point guard for a reason. While he did struggle to shoot the ball and attempted fewer shots, he orchestrated the offense and gave some incredible dimes in the game as he had 8 assists.
With his latest 8 assists performance against the Lakers, Paul became overtook Mark Jackson to move up to 18th on the all-time playoffs assists leader.
Congrats to @CP3 of the @Suns for moving up to 18th on the all-time #NBAPlayoffs ASSISTS list! pic.twitter.com/t2cddYZoTZ
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2021
This is just the start of a rather promising battle between the Suns and the Lakers. The 6-time All-Star’s health will be key if the team wants to see out the champions. Will Paul will be back in full health?
Regardless, the Phoenix Suns are finally looking like a problem for others and Chris Paul deserves a lot of credit for the same. Given the improvement players like DeAndre Ayton have made with CP3, the Suns aren’t just a two-man team now.
If CP3 can finally lead this Suns team to championship glory, it just might be the perfect story to cap off an excellent career.
Twitter reacts to Chris Paul’s record-breaking performance
NBA twitter went ballistic after seeing this crazy Chris Paul stat line.
He will be in the top 10 after the playoffs.
— See Red Bua (@BullsFanDE) May 23, 2021
He’s better than all these point guards 💯
— Keegan Palma (@KeeganPalma1) May 23, 2021
Point God 👌🏻
— wyball (@wyball1) May 23, 2021
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Legend right there but hope you lose sorry lol
— Oppressed0 (@ShowtimeLA24) May 23, 2021
He’s a baller.
— Slim Wesley (@slim_wes) May 23, 2021
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Chris Paul is certainly one of the best point guard’s of our generations. With some seasons still left in his tank, how many more places do you think will he jump in the list? Let us know in the comments section down below.