One of the greatest point guards in NBA history is in the NBA Finals for the first time of his 16-year career.
Chris Paul went off for 41 points — 16-of-24 from the field, 7-of-8 on threes — to lead the Phoenix Suns to a series-clinching 130-103 win over the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals on Wednesday night. The 36-year-old scored 31 of his 41 points in the second half.
Chris Paul gives a heartfelt speech after getting the WCF trophy 🙏
Congrats Suns. pic.twitter.com/cNMUSNeTR7
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 1, 2021
Chris Paul is the oldest player in NBA history with 40+ points in a closeout game.
He is also the 2nd oldest player ever to drop 40 in any playoff game. pic.twitter.com/l6bnJd66Go
— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 1, 2021
The Clippers put up an impressive fight in this series without superstar forward Kawhi Leonard, but the Suns — led by Paul, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton — ultimately had too much firepower for Los Angeles to overcome.
The game featured some drama in the fourth quarter, with Clippers guard shoving Paul in the back. Beverley was ejected.
Patrick Beverley shoves Chris Paul in the back and is ejected.
"That's as unsportsmanlike as it gets."- Mike Breen pic.twitter.com/67ert4xkYW
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 1, 2021
The Suns advance to The Finals for the first time since 1993, when they lost in six games to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. They have never won a championship in franchise history.
With star power and a solid group of role players, to go with the uncertain status of Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo (if the Bucks can even beat the Atlanta Hawks; that series is tied 2-2), the Suns have an excellent chance to win that first championship in the coming weeks.
