Chris Paul hasn’t had a lot of luck in the playoffs. Almost every year, it seems like the guy is met with some overwhelming obstacle that keeps him from bringing home a Championship.
This year, Paul is doing his best to change that.
In Devin Booker’s first game back since his injury, Paul came into the Smoothie King Center and delivered a historic performance. In the 115-109 win, he dropped 33 points, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds per game on a perfect 14-14 shooting from the field. It stands as the best shooting display in NBA playoff history.
On Twitter, LeBron James was just one of several high-profile ballers to respond.
MASTERPIECE @CP3!!!!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 29, 2022
CP wylin
— Tyrese Haliburton (@Hali) July 1, 2021
CP! Unbelievable! What a player. What a competitor! 👏👏👏👏
— Manu Ginobili (@manuginobili) July 1, 2021
Yo @Suns y’all did that. Respect. Congrats. 16 yrs a long time @CP3 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) July 1, 2021
CP painted a masterpiece tonight !
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) July 1, 2021
too easy for CP out there right now . 🥶
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) July 1, 2021
Point GOD redemption tour continues! @CP3
— Jalen Rose (@JalenRose) July 1, 2021
Nah CP WILDING🤦🏾♂️
— Tyrese Maxey (@TyreseMaxey) July 1, 2021
Thanks to CP3’s heroics, the Suns will move on to Round 2, where they will face the winner of the Utah/Dallas series.
While the Suns did suffer a bit of a scare against New Orleans, the return of Booker and the resurrection of Paul has Phoenix poised to succeed.
Before the playoffs even began, there were some who called a Finals run for the organization.
“They are so lights out, unbelievable at the end of games,” said Bill Simmons. “In a weird way, I think they’re gonna be a better playoff team than a regular-season team. I mapped out a big bracket and I was trying to figure out what’s Phoenix record going to be going into the Finals. That’s how confident I am they’re going to make it to the Finals. Will they have two losses? Round 1 it’s gonna be New Orleans or the Clippers… they’re sweeping either of those teams. Then you go to the next round and they’re gonna play the 4-5, which is Dallas/Utah. Dallas might win one. They’re gonna be better. Everything slows down and that’s like the greatest thing ever for Phoenix.
Obviously, nothing is set in stone. One moment, one injury, can change everything for the Suns. Only one round in, they still have a long way to go before they can call themselves champions.
But with CP3 on this historical tear, it seems like nothing is getting in the way of this team right now. In year 17, Chris Paul is giving everything he has to carry his team to victory.
