Chris Paul Makes NBA History By Becoming First Player With 20,000 Points, 10,000 Assists
Phoenix Suns All-Star point guard Chris Paul made history on Friday night while leading his team to victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. His free throw in the second quarter made him the first player in NBA history with 20,000 points, as well as 10,000 assists, in his career.
Chris Paul knocks down the free throw to reach 20,000 career points!
— NBA (@NBA) October 23, 2021
He becomes the only player in @NBAHistory with 20,000 points and 10,000 assists. pic.twitter.com/E2ryTafiz9
Before CP3 accomplished the milestone, the only other players that had a chance to pass the 20,000 point, 10, assist plateau was Oscar Robertson, who finished with 9,887 assists, and John Stockton, who finished just short with 19,711 points.
Paul had 10,285 assists heading into the game and was 49 assists assists behind Mark Jackson for fourth place on the NBA’s all-time list.
The only player ever with 20,000 points and 10,000 assists…what a career it’s been thus far for NBA 75th Anniversary Team member, @CP3! #NBA75 pic.twitter.com/FFRgI5clfo
— NBA (@NBA) October 23, 2021
Paul, who also made the NBA’s 75th Anniversary team, had reflected on that accomplishment before making history.
“It means a lot,” Paul said on Friday. “I got a chance to go home yesterday with my family, my parents, my brother. Everybody sort of surprised me with, like, a Zoom toast with a lot of people who meant a lot [to me]. Especially to have my dad sitting right next to me meant a lot because my dad is the one who the ball in my hands, and I appreciate him for it.
“I’m just glad and grateful to be a part of it.”
Paul has career averages of 18.3 points, 9.4 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game in 1,091 games.
