The last couple of NBA seasons in particular, questions have been raised about how long 37-year-old Chris Paul has left in the league.
In May last year after a crushing Western Conference Semifinals Game 7 loss to the Mavs, he quashed those rumors and now they’ve come round again.
Paul’s simple response was: “I ain’t got no retirement ceremony.” (via Sportsnaut)
Paul explained that family priorities will influence whether he will see out his contract that expires after the 2024-25 season, but the other pressing concern is his health.
This season, the guard has missed 21 games with a right heel injury (14 games) and his right hip injury (seven) and was rested in Phoenix’s last two regular season games.
When he did play, he averaged career-low in points per game (13.9).
A recent story by The Athletic included a poll that showed CP3 and Damian Lillard are the two guys most opposing players they want to see win their first NBA championship.
“I appreciate it. No one wants it more than I do,” Paul said. “It’s cool. I got a lot of guys around this league that I’ve known for a long time and have been close to, so I appreciate it.”
Sunday’s game against the Clippers will mark the 15th time Paul has appeared in a playoffs game and with such a storied resume, winning a ring would be one of the only things he has yet to achieve.
“I just keep playing,” Paul said. “I just keep going. That’s my mindset.”
The Western Conference Game 1 match-up against the Suns and Clippers will take place on Sunday, April 16 at 8:00PM ET.