If he keeps up his current pace, he could very well continue to move up the all-time assists ladder by Christmas.
SAN ANTONIO — Chris Paul’s historically consistent play is one reason the San Antonio Spurs signed the NBA veteran – affectionally referred to as “Point God” by his peers – to a deal last offseason.
And in the first quarter of the Spurs’ Friday night game against the visiting Lakers, Paul made more history, becoming just the third player all-time to notch 12,000 career assists.
The milestone couldn’t have been reached in more epic fashion, as Paul connected with Victor Wembanyama for the high-flying alley-oop amid San Antonio’s strong start to the game at Frost Bank Center.
Paul entered Friday’s action with 11,997 career assists, the most among active players and third-most behind only John Stockton (15,806) and Jason Kidd (12,091), both Hall of Famers. Fittingly enough, LA’s Lebron James is next behind Paul, with 11,112 career assists entering Friday’s game.
Paul, 39, could very well overtake Kidd at No. 2 on the all-time list in what will likely be his only San Antonio season. Entering Friday’s games, he was fifth in the NBA this season with 8.6 assists per game and fifth in overall assists, with 103.
If he keeps up that pace, he’s likely to take over the No. 2 spot before Christmas.
The Lakers led the Spurs at halftime, 68-60.