Golden State Warriors' Chris Paul Snaps Historic Streak vs. Houston Rockets

He backed up Stephen Curry to help the Golden State Warriors send the Rockets to their third consecutive loss in a 106-95 defeat Sunday evening inside the Toyota Center.

HOUSTON — After 1,365 games, 142 as a member of the Houston Rockets, Chris Paul came off the bench for the first time in his career. 

He backed up Stephen Curry to help the Golden State Warriors send the Rockets to their third consecutive loss in a 106-95 win Sunday evening inside the Toyota Center. His benching came following the season debut of Draymond Green, who missed the previous two games due to a left lateral ankle sprain. 

Former #Rockets guard Chris Paul will come off the bench tonight for the first time in his career.

As a member of the Warriors, tonight will be a different look for the future Hall of Famer. pic.twitter.com/supjwQ77F6

— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) October 29, 2023

Paul was far from the player who led the Rockets to a 3-2 series lead over the Warriors during the 2018 Western Conference Finals. But the future Hall-of-Fame point guard was still effective as a reserve.

He finished with eight points, seven assists and five rebounds in the win. Paul drilled an 18-foot jump shot to help the Warriors break an 81-81 tie with 9:08 left in the fourth quarter.

"It was different, but at the end of the day, it is basketball," Paul said. "For me, the warmup is different. A lot of it was, but once you get out there playing in the game, now it is hooping. It is cool to be on a team like this where you are just free-flowing. Everybody is playing and sharing the ball."

Warriors guard Chris Paul (3) in action during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

In July, the Warriors acquired Paul in a blockbuster trade that sent Jordan Poole, Ryan Rollins, Patrick Baldwin Jr., a 2030 protected first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick to the Washington Wizards.

Before the trade that sent him to Golden State, Paul was a part of the blockbuster deal that landed the Phoenix Suns Bradley Beal in June.

He may not be starting in Golden State, but Paul continues to showcase how impactful he can be on any team, regardless of the situation. Led by Paul, the Warriors' bench unit outscored the Rockets' reserves 41-21 while possessing a plus/minus of plus 56.

"He is really smart," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. "All of the things that he has done against us, we are seeing him do it for us. It's a nice change."