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After what felt like an endless stream of heartbreaks, Chris Paul finally punched a ticket to the NBA Finals.
In a scene fit for a climactic montage of a syrupy sports movie, Paul exploded for a postseason career-high of 41 points. His buckets felt like they were destined to be there, premeditated by a basketball force bigger than all of us.
Paul’s memorable performance not only gave helped the Phoenix Suns advance, but he also set a slew of NBA records along the way. He became the oldest player in history to score at least 35 points in back-to-back closeout games. The 37-year-old CP3, who scored 37 points in Game 5, beat the likes of Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Hakeem Olajuwon for the distinction (via ESPN Statistics and Information).
After dropping 37 in the series-clincher against Denver, Chris Paul poured in 41 Wednesday night against the Clippers.
He became the oldest player in postseason history with 35 points in consecutive close-out games within a postseason.
The previous oldest? Michael Jordan. pic.twitter.com/NJ7oU6XW7Q
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 1, 2021
Paul’s 41 point-barrage is the second-most in NBA Playoffs history by a player at 36 years old or older, just six points shy of eclipsing Karl Malone’s record.
Chris Paul finishes with 41 points, tying his playoff career-high.
It’s the 2nd-most in a playoff game by a player at age 36 or older in NBA history. Karl Malone scored 50 in 2000 against the SuperSonics. pic.twitter.com/S8IPZH52zY
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 1, 2021
He also became the first player in the Shot Clock Era (since 1954-55) to score at least 35 points and hit two-thirds of his field goals attempts in multiple series-clinching wins in a single postseason.
Chris Paul is the first player in the Shot Clock Era (since 1954-55) to score 35 points and hit 2/3 of his FG attempts in multiple series-clinching wins in the same postseason.
He’s done it in each of the Suns’ last 2 series. pic.twitter.com/eoEUdCdNul
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 1, 2021
Oh, there’s more! After scoring 31 points in the second half against the Los Angeles Clippers, Paul became only the third player in the last 25 postseasons, after Stephen Curry and Anthony Davis, to put up 30 points in the second half of a series-clinching victory
Chris Paul scored 31 points in the 2nd half, his most in a half in his career (reg. season or playoffs).
He is the 3rd player over the last 25 postseasons to score 30 points in the 2nd half of a series-clinching win, joining Stephen Curry and Anthony Davis. pic.twitter.com/co6mpIL4eM
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 1, 2021
Clearly, CP3 is anything but done. All these NBA records would ultimately mean nothing if they don’t get the championship. Good thing for Suns fans, Chris Paul is as competitive as they come.
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