Chris Paul finished with 30 points and 10 assists in the first round of the 2022 playoffs, the 52nd playoff double-double in his NBA career, and officially surpassed Steve Nash on the NBA's all-time playoff double-doubles list, second only to the two in the NBA active players.
Although the Suns have never been behind in this game, at one point leading by as many as 23 points, but in the case of the Pelicans playing a 37-26 single-quarter score in the third quarter, in the fourth quarter, the other Players of the Suns only scored 12 points, of which Devon Booker played 10 minutes and only relied on free throws to score 2 points, if it were not for Paul playing the fourth quarter and scoring 19 points in the single quarter with 87.5% shooting and 75% three-point shooting, it is really difficult to say whether the Suns can "open the door". That's why I insist that the sun is a near-win.
After all, Paul, who is about to celebrate his 37th birthday, averaged only 14.7 points per game in the regular season this season, and the Suns can't rely too much on Paul on the offensive end if they want to win the championship, but from this game, we can see that Paul's "sword is not old". And this is paul's 52nd playoff double-double stat, what is this concept?
On the NBA's all-time playoff double-doubles chart, Paul officially surpassed Nash to occupy the 30th position in history. Of all the guard players in NBA history, Paul's playoff double-doubles are ranked third, behind Magic Johnson and John Stockton, two recognized as the best point guards in NBA history. It is worth mentioning that Kidd's entire NBA career has had 50 playoff double-doubles, and the "basketball god" Michael Jordan has only achieved double-doubles in 39 playoff games.
Among the NBA active players, Paul's playoff double-doubles are second only to the two, LeBron James and Dwight Howard, while Russell Westbrook and Rajon Rondo have playoff double-doubles fourth and fifth respectively. It is worth mentioning that even Kevin Durant, who once won the MVP of the Finals, has only achieved two-doubles in 44 playoff games.
Paul is still not old, after being abandoned by the Rockets, he re-proved himself in both the Thunder and the Suns, leading the Suns to the best regular season record in the history of the team this season, completing a feat that Nash, who has won the regular season MVP for the second consecutive season, has not achieved. Although Paul once again did not enter the top three of the regular season MVP selection, Paul's personal ability has long been universally recognized, I hope he can achieve the championship dream, this season is his best chance!