Revenge is sweet, especially when it’s against your old team.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!San Antonio Spurs point guard Chris Paul hasn’t gotten the chance to get a taste of that when it comes to playing his former team, the Phoenix Suns.
Paul signed a one-year, $11 million deal with the Spurs after being waived by the Golden State Warriors in June. He only spent a year in Golden State after being traded in June 2023 as a part of the blockbuster deal that placed shooting guard Bradley Beal in The Valley.
The 19-year veteran is scheduled to play the Suns for the fourth time since being traded in the final match of the Emirates NBA Cup Group Play on Tuesday. He’s had more than his fair share of chances to get back at his former team with the Suns and Warriors being members of the Western Conference Pacific Division, he just could never get it done.
Final game of #EmiratesNBACup Group Play tonight ????
???? @Suns
⏰ 8pm CT
???? @FanDuelSN_SW
???? @1200WOAI, @kxtn1350 @HEB | @SelfCreditApp | #sponsored pic.twitter.com/Xt7IOmnHB6— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) December 3, 2024
In three matchups with the Phoenix Suns during the 2023 season, Paul couldn’t thwart his own team in any of them despite his best efforts. He averages 9.2 points, 6.8 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals over the course of the season. In two of those losses, Paul outdid all of those marks. He posted 14 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds and 2 steals in Golden State’s 108-104 loss in October. The two teams would meet in late November, where the Suns would take its second game of the series, holding Paul to only 6 points, 6 assists and 2 rebounds. In his final meeting with his old squad, CP3 gave us a flashback of his best years, pouring in a 15-point, 11-assist double-double that was accompanied with five rebounds and two assists.
Golden State avoided getting swept, winning the final game of the series 113-112 on Feb. 10. Unfortunately for Paul, he did not play in this game due to a knee injury.
While the former Sun has yet to beat Phoenix, The Valley certainly owes him for his contributions during his three-year tenure.
The Suns acquired Paul via trade in 2020 from the Oklahoma City Thunder. That same season, he led the team to the NBA Finals. It was the first Finals appearance of his career and Phoenix’s only appearance in the 21st Century. Paul signed a four-year, $120 million extension the following season and aided the team to a 64-18 regular season finish: a new franchise record.
Devin Booker on Chris Paul's impact on the Spurs:
"Doing what he's done in every situation he's been in, and that's enhance his team, accelerate growth, get everybody around him up to date & on a better path"
Added that their relationship is something he’ll hold on to forever. pic.twitter.com/7TVMSSLggB
— CP3REGION (@cp3region) December 3, 2024
Paul wasn’t able to get a win over his old squad as a Warrior. In his first meeting with the Suns as a San Antonio Spur, he’ll still be fighting for that first victory Tuesday night.
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Reporter Jordyn Bennett covers Phoenix area sports and sports related topics. You can follow him on his X account, @j_bennett_live
