Chris Paul is basically the guy who refused to let the "true point guard" archetype die. While the rest of the league started hunting for seven-footers who could shoot threes or guards who played like human pogo sticks, Paul just kept dinking and dunking his way into the history books.
Honestly, looking at chris paul nba stats right now is a bit like looking at a vintage watch. It might not have the flashy digital display of a modern smartwatch, but the gears are still turning with terrifying precision. Even at 40 years old, playing for the Los Angeles Clippers in what looks like his final ride, the man is still manipulating the geometry of the court.
The Immortality of 12,500 Assists
If you want to understand the scale of his impact, you've gotta look at the total career numbers. Paul currently sits comfortably at second all-time in career assists. He’s got over 12,550 assists, trailing only the untouchable John Stockton.
Think about that for a second.
Stockton is essentially the Wayne Gretzky of basketball—his lead is so massive it’s almost stupid. But Paul being second? That’s legendary territory. He passed Jason Kidd, a man who was basically a walking triple-double in his prime.
The most impressive part isn't just the volume; it's the efficiency. Most high-volume passers are turnover machines. Not CP3. His career assist-to-turnover ratio is usually somewhere around 4-to-1. In a league where "hero ball" is the default setting for stars, Paul is the guy who makes sure everyone else gets their dinner first.
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A Quick Breakdown of the Milestones
- Assists: 2nd all-time (12,500+)
- Steals: 2nd all-time (2,700+)
- All-Star Selections: 12
- All-NBA First Team: 4 times
- Steals Leader: 6 seasons (NBA Record)
Why His 2025-26 Season Looks Different
Let’s be real: the 2025-26 season hasn't been a statistical explosion. Paul is currently averaging about 2.9 points and 3.3 assists per game with the Clippers. He’s mostly coming off the bench. He isn't the guy dropping 20 and 10 anymore.
Is he "washed"?
Well, if you only look at the box score, you might think so. But advanced metrics like EPM (Estimated Plus-Minus) and RAPM tell a different story. Even with limited minutes, the Clippers' offensive rating tends to stabilize when he’s on the floor. He’s basically a coach who happens to be wearing a jersey. He knows exactly where the young guys like Terance Mann or Bones Hyland need to be before they even realize it themselves.
His shooting has dipped, sure. He's hitting about 31% from the field this year. That’s rough. But stats in a vacuum don't account for the "CP3 Effect." Everywhere he goes, the win total follows.
The "Point God" Advanced Stat Darling
For a decade, specifically from 2008 to 2018, Chris Paul was essentially the king of advanced stats. He led the league in EPM six different times. He wasn't just a good player; he was the most efficient way to win a basketball game.
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Look at his Win Shares (WS).
He has over 215 career win shares. To put that in perspective, that puts him in the top 10 all-time, rubbing shoulders with guys like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, and LeBron James. He’s the only player under 6'1" in that stratosphere.
People love to talk about his lack of a ring. It's the go-to argument for any hater. But if you look at his playoff averages—20.0 points, 8.3 assists, and 4.9 rebounds over 149 games—the "choking" narrative starts to fall apart. Usually, it's his hamstring or a freak injury to a teammate that does him in, not a lack of production.
Defensive Numbers That Nobody Talks About
We talk about the passing so much that we forget Paul was a defensive menace. You don't lead the league in steals six times by accident. He wasn't just gambling for steals like a kid in a YMCA league; he was baiting veteran players into traps.
His 7 All-Defensive First Team selections aren't just legacy votes. They were earned by being the most annoying person on the planet for 48 minutes. He’s currently second all-time in steals with 2,728, again trailing only Stockton.
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He uses his hands like a magician. If you dribble the ball too high near Chris Paul, it’s not your ball anymore. It’s his. And it’s probably going to end up in a layup for his teammate three seconds later.
Career Averages (The "Prime" Years)
| Category | Average |
|---|---|
| Points | 16.9 |
| Assists | 9.2 |
| Rebounds | 4.4 |
| Steals | 2.0 |
| FT% | 87.0% |
What's Next for the CP3 Legacy?
With his retirement officially announced for the end of the 2025-26 season, every game now is basically a victory lap. He's back in LA, where "Lob City" changed the culture of the Clippers forever. It’s sort of poetic.
The reality is that we might not see another player like him for a long time. The league is moving toward positionless basketball. Everyone is a hybrid. But Chris Paul is a specialist. He specialized in the most difficult job in sports: managing four other egos on a basketball court while making sure the ball goes exactly where it needs to be.
If you’re tracking chris paul nba stats to see if he'll catch Stockton, give up. It’s not happening. But if you’re tracking them to see the final chapter of one of the highest IQs to ever play the game, then you’re in for a treat.
Keep an eye on his assist-to-turnover ratio as the season winds down. Even if he’s only playing 15 minutes a night, he’s likely to finish the year with more assists than turnovers by a massive margin. That’s just who he is.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the Clippers' home games to see his final minutes on the floor; the veteran savvy is still there even if the speed isn't.
- Compare his career "Clutch" shooting percentages to other elite guards; you'll find he remains one of the most reliable mid-range shooters in the final two minutes.
- Check the official NBA record books at the end of April 2026 to see where his final career totals land—he is likely to solidify his #2 spot in both assists and steals for decades to come.