Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (9) fouls Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) during the first half at Moda Center. Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Suns' Chris Paul becomes third player in NBA history to record 11,000 career assists

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 10/23/22

Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul added another accomplishment to his Hall of Fame resume Sunday night against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Only minutes into the contest, CP3 found Deandre Ayton with a beautiful lob pass for a dunk to register the 11,000th assist of his illustrious career.

With this lob to Deandre Ayton, Chris Paul has become only the third player in NBA history to ever record 11,000 or more assists!

He joins John Stockton and Jason Kidd. pic.twitter.com/aPRkWDnuXG
— NBA (@NBA) October 24, 2022

Paul becomes only the third player in the history of the NBA to reach 11,000 assists for a career, joining Hall of Famers Jason Kidd and John Stockton.

Chris Paul joins Jason Kidd and John Stockton as the only players in NBA history to record 11,000 or more career assists.

Congrats, CP3! pic.twitter.com/IR7QFqk7sV
— NBA (@NBA) October 24, 2022

Having reached the milestone, Paul is the first player in NBA history to compile 20,000 career points and 11,000 assists.

In his 17th NBA season, the 37-year-old has struggled early on for the Suns. Ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Clippers, Paul averaged 8.0 points, 10.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.5 steals.

The Suns benched Paul in the season-opener against the Dallas Mavericks. After Paul left the game, the Suns came back from a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Mavericks, 107-105.

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