Suns' Deandre Ayton: Chris Paul 'was the best thing that happened to my career'

The Phoenix Suns defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 84-80 on Saturday to take a commanding 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference Finals, and Deandre Ayton is a big reason why. 

Ayton finished Game 4 with 19 points, 22 rebounds and three assists. He had the second-most points on the team. 

After the game, the 22-year-old said that his game has reached new heights this season thanks to Chris Paul, the only teammate who has ever really pushed him to be great. 

"I love CP, man," Ayton said, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "That's really the only teammate that really pushed me. Like big-bro-type push. I think he was the best thing that happened to my career. I can say that every day."

Ayton added that he'd like to repay Paul's investment in him by helping the Suns reach the NBA Finals, a round the veteran point guard has never appeared in. 

Paul has been everything the Suns had hoped he'd be and more. His leadership is helping the team's young stars shine, and his own performance on the court has been a difference-maker throughout the postseason. 

The Suns have the opportunity to close things out against the Clippers on Monday. If they do so, they'll be back in the NBA Finals for the first time since the 1992-93 season.