Chris Paul Becomes 6th Player with Multiple 40-Point, 15-Assist Games
Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul had 41 points and 17 assists in Wednesday's 126-122 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, making him just the sixth player in NBA history to record multiple games with 40 or more points and 15 or more assists, per Elias Sports Bureau (via ESPN Stats & Info).
The 29-year-old point guard joins an impressive group comprised of Hall of Famers Oscar Robertson (11 such games), Jerry West (three), Nate Archibald (three) and Isiah Thomas (two), along with Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (two).
Paul previously had 42 points and 15 assists in a matchup with the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 31, 2013, which marked the second game of the Clippers' 2013-14 season.
Even if the criteria is cut down to 35 points and 15 assists, Paul is responsible for the only two such games in the NBA over the past two seasons, per ESPN Stats & Info.
Wednesday's performance not only put Paul into the record books, but also helped the Clippers pick up a key win as they try to secure home-court advantage in the opening round of the playoffs.
To do so, the Clippers will need to make up a 1.5-game deficit to the Houston Rockets, which would allow Los Angeles to grab the lone top-four seed that isn't reserved for a division champion.
While we shouldn't get used to this kind of performance, Paul could be in for some more big games over the final two weeks of the season, with his team having plenty to play for down the stretch.
