The Phoenix Suns drew first blood in their series against the New Orleans Pelicans as Chris Paul sent a timely reminder — he is almost unguardable in the half-court.
After the Pelicans clawed their way back from a 23-point deficit to cut it to 79-71 heading into the final frame, Paul activated Point God mode as he surgically picked apart the Pelicans' defense with a flurry of buckets.
"Man, that is the CP3 show," Deandre Ayton said postgame.
"Just got a little taste of it, we was locked in, we just took advantage of what the defense give him, there was a lot of switching going on in that quarter and he just took advantage of it. He did what he did best, reading the defense and just attacking."
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Chris Paul is the oldest player in postseason history with 30 Pts & 10 Ast in a game.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 18, 2022
That distinction was previously held by Steve Nash, also for the Suns, in Game 1 of the 2010 West Conf Semis. pic.twitter.com/Ru6V4GtbxN
Paul scored 19 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, and he either scored or assisted on 23 of the Suns' 31 points in the final 12 minutes, including 19 in a row.
Sheesh.
The Pelicans continued to make shots as they tried to trim the deficit, but a two-and-a-half-minute stretch from Paul all but shut the door on any idea of a comeback.
The 36-year-old finished with 30 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and three steals on 12-of-16 shooting from the field and 4-of-6 from beyond the arc, with the Suns a whopping +20 in the 35 minutes he was on court.
CP3 is shifting into another gear in the 4th!
— NBA (@NBA) April 18, 2022
He has 17 points in Q4 alone 🔥#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel on TNT pic.twitter.com/dIteBaCEmC
"That's just classic Chris ... at the right time he takes over and we needed it," Suns head coach Monty Williams said postgame.
"There was a spell in the third where we just turned it over, we got bad shots, we got to the basket and missed a layup and we fell down and we were behind in transition. It was like a five-on-three break at times if we had a guy in the corner.
"So his ability to knock down those shots allowed for us to set our defense."
CP3 is TAKING OVER IN Q4 🔥
— NBA (@NBA) April 18, 2022
He has 15 of the @Suns 18 points in the fourth.#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel on TNT pic.twitter.com/egHQUZ5oyi
Paul worked in symphony with bigs JaVale McGee and Ayton, creating mismatches on switches with Larry Nance Jr., either letting it fly from deep or punishing smaller defenders as he craftily attacked the cup.
CP3's handle work off the PnR is amazing ✨#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel on TNT pic.twitter.com/cprPR1wbgJ
— NBA (@NBA) April 18, 2022
At age 36, Paul continues to defy Father Time, with the Pelicans searching for answers to slow him down in the half-court.
The Suns will look to take a 2-0 series lead on their home floor, with Game 2 scheduled for Tuesday night in Phoenix.
