Thunder’s Star Chris Paul Jumps Past LeBron James to Set a Game 7 NBA Playoffs Record

Chris Paul’s elbow jumper is one shot that entices everyone, perhaps even LeBron James. But more than anything, his personality and his leadership makes everyone around him play better. As destiny would have it, his Oklahoma City Thunder got knocked out in Game 7 against the same team he played for last season, the Houston Rockets.

The Rockets defeated Thunder 104-102 in a game that seemed never-ending in the clutch moments. James Harden denied Chris Paul a victory but could not stop CP3 from having a memorable game. 

Oklahoma City Thunder lost, but CP3 shined as he left behind LeBron James

The Thunder and Rockets had almost identical seeding games record. The Thunder were 0-2 down in the NBA Playoffs 2020 before making a comeback. Dennis Schroder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Danilo Gallinari lifted their game when it was most needed. 

But 35-YO Chris Paul’s performance was a head-turner because he averaged 21+ points per game in the post-season. In Game 7, his triple-double did enough damage to the Rockets and also got him in the history books.

If we take into consideration the 30-point triple-doubles, we have Kobe Bryant (age 36 yrs 99 days), Larry Bird (35-099), LeBron James (35-062) to have done it in the past. But their records fall short when compared to Chris Paul’s heroics in Game 7. 

The moment they gave away the game!

CP3 scored 19 points, 11 rebs, 12 assists, and gave all he had got into the game, but to no avail. His steady hands gifted the Thunder a Game 6 victory. Thanks to him, Round 1 became so much more thrilling for the fans. No wonder why LeBron gave a shoutout to CP3 after that game.

In Game 7, the Rockets gave a team-performance with everyone chipping in with good figures to match. The surprising factor remained the 21-YO Luguentz Dort, who scored 30 points. But all his hard work went in vain as James Harden denied him a ‘would-be’ game-winning three-pointer in the clutch moments.

That block from Harden finished the game for Thunder and Dort’s chance to shine and become the match-winner got buried. 

The Houston Rockets are now going to face an upbeat Los Angeles Lakers where it will be a Harden vs LeBron showdown.