Chris Paul continues to prove he belongs among game’s elite players

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Chris Paul

Chris Paul/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers, NBA.com

No one can blame Chris Paul for his team’s 107-91 loss at Memphis on Sunday. He scored 22 points on 7 of 13 shooting, doled out five assists and made four steals. It was Paul’s 45th career game with at least 20 points, 50 percent shooting, five assists and four steals.

Paul ranks first in such games among active players and fifth all-time behind Michael Jordan (83), John Stockton (65), Alvin Robertson (50) and Clyde Drexler (48).

Chris Paul passes John Havlicek on all-time assists leader board

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Chris Paul

Chris Paul/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers

 

Point guard Chris Paul had seven assists in Thursday’s season-opening 93-90 victory over Oklahoma City at Staples Center. That moved him past the Boston Celtics’ John Havlicek into 28th place on the all-time list; Havlicek had 6,114.

Paul, 29, is in his 10th season. He now has 6,119 assists. Next at No. 27 is Clyde Drexler (Portland/Houston). He has 6,125.