The Phoenix Suns have won the first game of the 2021 NBA Finals by a score of 118-105 over the Milwaukee Bucks, and it was due to a magical performance from the ageless wonder–Chris Paul. The 11-time all-star point guard from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, became only the third player in the history of the NBA Finals on Tuesday to record 30 points or more at the age of 36 years or older.
In 37 minutes of action, Paul scored 32 points. He made 12 of his 19 field goals, all four free throw attempts, and made four of seven shot attempts from three-point range. Paul also had nine assists, four rebounds, one steal, and was a +17.
The only other two players to score 30 points or more in the NBA Finals at age 36 or older were Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, while he was with the Los Angeles Lakers, and Tim Duncan, while he was with the San Antonio Spurs. Abdul-Jabbar accomplished the feat a remarkable six times. They occurred three times in the 1984 NBA Finals, twice in the 1985 NBA Finals, and once in the 1987 NBA Finals.
On all six occasions, the Lakers were playing the Boston Celtics. In game five of the 1985 NBA Finals, a 120-111 Lakers win, Abdul-Jabbar had 36 points at age 38. Then in game seven of the 1987 NBA Finals, a 106-93 Lakers win, Abdul-Jabbar had 32 points at age 40. Duncan meanwhile had 30 points in a 103-100 Spurs loss to the Miami Heat in game six of the NBA Finals on June 18, 2013, when Duncan was 37 years old.
Another star for the Suns on Tuesday was center Deandre Ayton, who had an impressive double-double of 22 points and 19 rebounds. Game two of the series is Thursday.
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