Chris Paul is widely regarded as one of the best point guards of this generation. Despite having such acumen to play the game of basketball, Paul is yet to win an NBA title in his career.
Many expected for that 18-year drought to be over this season as the Suns were the favorites to win the 2023 NBA Championship after adding Kevin Durant to the roster. Unfortunately, the Suns’ journey was cut short by Nikola Jokic and Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Semifinals.
Following a Game 6 defeat, the Suns’ season is over, and Chris Paul remains ringless in his career. With that being said, let’s take a look at how far CP3 has reached in the postseason during each season of his career.
2005-06 NBA Playoffs: Did Not Qualify
2006-07 NBA Playoffs: Did Not Qualify
2007-08 Western Conference Semifinals: New Orleans Hornets vs. San Antonio Spurs 3-4
2008-09 Western Conference First Round: New Orleans Hornets vs. Denver Nuggets 1-4
2009-10 NBA Playoffs: Did Not Qualify
2010-11 Western Conference First Round: New Orleans Hornets vs. Los Angeles Lakers 1-4
2011-12 Western Conference Semifinals: Los Angeles Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs 0-4
2012-13 Western Conference First Round: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Memphis Grizzlies 2-4
2013-14 Western Conference Semifinals: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder 2-4
2014-15 Western Conference Semifinals: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Houston Rockets 3-4
2015-16 Western Conference First Round: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers 2-4
2016-17 Western Conference First Round: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Utah Jazz 3-4
2017-18 Western Conference Finals: Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors 3-4
2018-19 Western Conference Semifinals: Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors 2-4
2019-20 Western Conference First Round: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets 3-4
2020-21 NBA Finals: Phoenix Suns vs. Milwaukee Bucks 2-4
2021-22 Western Conference Semifinals: Phoenix Suns vs. Dallas Mavericks 3-4
2022-23 Western Conference Semifinals: Phoenix Suns vs. Denver Nuggets 2-4
So far in his career, Chris Paul has managed to reach the NBA Finals just once. Even then, the CP3-led Suns blew a 2-0 lead against the Milwaukee Bucks. Apart from that, he has one Western Conference Finals appearance, seven Western Conference Semifinals appearances, six Western Conference First Round appearances, and missed the playoffs three times.
For his career, Paul has averaged 20.0 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 8.3 APG over 149 games in the playoffs. He has a 76-73 record in the postseason spanned across 15 years and 27 series.
What Is Next For Chris Paul?
Chris Paul is currently 38 years old and is under contract with the Phoenix Suns for two more years.
While Paul is still a decent player, he is no longer an All-Star caliber player. On top of that, CP3 is struggling with injuries. Even in the Western Conference Finals matchup vs. the Nuggets, Paul appeared in just the first two games. He was expected to make a return in Game 6 but was ultimately not healthy.
As for what’s next for the veteran point guard, the Suns will most likely look to run it back next season. After all, that will be the first full season for the franchise, with the core of Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton. Moreover, they will certainly try to add depth to the roster, as the Suns’ bench has been pretty weak since the Durant trade.
The other possibility is if Paul’s decline continues, the Suns may look to trade Paul for a younger player who can run the point for the team.
Either way, the next season may very well be the last chance for Paul to be in a position to win an NBA title.
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