Chris Paul’s run as a world-class point guard is elite. The 35-year-old drives and kicks out to Mikal Bridges for his 9,888th career assist, eclipsing Oscar Robertson for the No. 6 spot on the NBA’s career assist leaderboard. Up next? Magic Johnson at No. 5.

Chris Paul

Chris Paul moves into the No. 6 spot on all-time assist leaderboard

Classic CP3! Savvy veteran point guard Chris Paul of the Phoenix Suns busts out the pretty hesitation dribble before nailing the silky smooth jumper against Western Conference foes the Dallas Mavericks on December 23, 2020. After setting the league ablaze with a perfect 8-0 record during the 2020 NBA restart in Orlando, the Phoenix Suns continue their winning ways to start the new season.

Chris Paul pulls up for jumper in first game with the Suns

Chris Paul makes it look easy but don’t take the iconic floor general for granted. The Phoenix Suns veteran runs around a pair of screens then catches lob threat Deandre Ayton for a perfectly placed alley-oop, his 10,000th career assist in the NBA. Paul rounded out the March 21, 2021 victory with an 11-point, 10-rebound, 13-assist triple-double.

Chris Paul dishes 10,000th career assist in midst of triple-double

Chris Paul makes hitting the roll man look easy. The crafty veteran rolls off a Frank Kaminsky screen then splits a pair of Chicago Bulls defenders with a perfectly targeted bounce pass to the Phoenix Suns center for a wide-open layup on February 26, 2021.

Chris Paul hits screener with behind-back dime out of pick-and-roll

Hobbled and hurting in a deadlocked Game 7, Chris Paul had to dig deep. With the defending-champion San Antonio Spurs trying to end the Los Angeles Clippers’ season in the first round, Paul shook off his aching hamstring just long enough to hit one of the biggest shots of his legendary career to send his squad to the Western Conference semifinals. After a pair of Spurs free throws tied the game at 109 with eight seconds left, Paul took a handoff from Blake Griffin and drove strong to his right into the paint despite Danny Green hot in pursuit. When the much taller Tim Duncan drifted over to help deny, it didn’t matter — CP3 let loose a difficult, one-handed jumper while falling away with one second left that went off the glass and found a home at the bottom of the net. Despite playing at less than 100 percent, Paul shot 9 of 13 from the field and 5 of 6 from downtown for a team-high 27 points to pair with six assists in the exhilarating 111-109 win-or-go-home victory on May 2, 2015. 

Chris Paul eliminates Spurs with game-winning drive in 2015 Playoffs

Regardless of how the opposing teams line up against him, New Orleans Hornets rookie Chris Paul navigates the defense with the grace of slalom skier. The first-year guard attacks Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem with a punishing in-and-out crossover before ducking up-and-under the rim for a contested two on November 15, 2005.

Chris Paul navigates through defense for tough bucket in the paint

Chris Paul made up for lost time with style after missing the previous seven games with an injury. The 12-time All-Star gives the Phoenix Suns an instant lift upon his return to the lineup, issuing a flashy between-the-legs bounce pass to a cutting Bismack Biyombo for a well-earned layup. Now in his 18th season, Paul shows he can still fill up a box score with 22 points, six rebounds, 11 assists and three steals in helping the Suns knock off the Memphis Grizzlies 112-110 on January 22, 2023.

Chris Paul slips pick-and-roll dime through legs to Bismack Biyombo

Guarding NBA players is one thing, guarding Chris Paul is a different beast altogether. Unsympathetic to the plight of the rookie big man, the veteran point guard draws Houston Rockets forward Usman Garuba out to the perimeter, dribbles the ball through the 19-year-old’s legs, then pulls up for a casual 15-foot jump shot. Paul racked up 15 points, four dimes and seven steals in the November 14, 2021 Phoenix Suns victory.

Chris Paul nutmegs defender on perimeter then pulls up for jumper

Chris Paul has had the ball on the string for the last two decades and continues to mystify defenders who step up to check him. The Phoenix Suns veteran drives hard around a high screen, heads straight to the paint, then goes behind his back and forward through his legs to create space for his equally time-tested mid-range jump shot. Paul finished with 18 points and seven assists in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals on June 26, 2021.

Chris Paul wraps ball around back, through legs in 2021 Conference Finals

Don’t call it a comeback! Veteran Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Chris Paul drains the beautiful stepback three against the Houston Rockets on August 31, 2020.

Chris Paul buries stepback triple in 2020 Playoffs

With time winding down in a close game between the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets, veteran point guard Chris Paul attacks the hoop then steps back into a fadeaway to put his squad in front. Paul finished with 21 points in the January 1, 2021 win.

Chris Paul drains clutch pull-up from the baseline

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