Suns Need Chris Paul to Continue Turning Back the Clock

A vintage Chris Paul performance helped the Phoenix Suns draw level with the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 2.

One narrative going into this year's playoffs was if Phoenix Suns PG Chris Paul’s age would play a factor in his production on the court.

In Game 1 against the Los Angeles Clippers, that seemed to be the case as he only scored seven points going 2-8 on field goal attempts. However, Paul bounced back in a huge way in Game 2 dropping 16 points, four rebounds and eight assists in the win.

Throughout the game, Paul continued to hit tough fadeaway/contested shots showing flashes of his vintage self, one that rarely comes out with talented scorers now placed around him. 

Going into this game, Paul was 0-13 when Scott Foster officiated his playoff games. Paul put that narrative to bed helping lead Phoenix to a 123-109 victory.

It was not only his scoring that was impressive: Paul also did a great job setting up Devin Booker, who led all players with 38 points.

“I thought Chris (Paul) did a really good job of putting the ball in Book’s (Devin Booker) hands and just saying, 'You go'. Chris was on the other side,” Monty Williams said.

Despite a hot shooting night, Paul actually only attempted one three the entire game, which he found kind of ironic.

“It is funny, I have been practicing threes like crazy, thinking they were going to leave me open like the last few games,” Paul said following the win. 

“I spent the whole day watching all my shots against the Clippers throughout the season. They was really giving me middies, just refocusing. They are not really leaving me for the three, but we done played against them a lot. So just get to your spots.”

Paul was seen laboring through some pain from an injury sustained to his right hand. Following the game he had a X-Ray on his right hand which came up clean, so he should be ready to go for Game 3.

Paul's ability to score will help the Suns greatly in their pursuit to not only push past Los Angeles in the first round but also eventually reach deeper in the playoffs. 

At least after Game 2, he displayed the ability to do just that.