Chris Paul is a basketball wizard. There is no other way to put it. For over two decades, he has dictated the pace of NBA games with the precision of a master conductor. But there is a number that haunts his otherwise pristine resume. It is the one thing fans and critics always bring up when debating his place in the pantheon of all-time greats.
So, let's get it out of the way immediately. Chris Paul has zero NBA championships.
As of early 2026, with CP3 playing out what many expect to be his final season back with the Los Angeles Clippers, that "0" remains stubbornly fixed. He has the points. He has the assists. He has the respect of every player who has ever shared a floor with him. Yet, the Larry O'Brien trophy has stayed just out of reach, often in the most heartbreaking fashion imaginable.
The Closest He Ever Came: The 2021 NBA Finals
If you want to understand the frustration of the CP3 journey, you have to look at 2021. This was the year. After being traded to the Phoenix Suns—a team that hadn't smelled the playoffs in a decade—Paul transformed them overnight. They didn't just make the playoffs; they tore through the Western Conference.
✨ Don't miss: Why Cumberland Valley Boys Basketball Dominates the Mid-Penn (and What’s Next)
Paul finally reached his first NBA Finals at age 36. It felt like a movie script. The Suns took a 2-0 lead against the Milwaukee Bucks. Phoenix was buzzing. It seemed like a foregone conclusion that the "Point God" would finally get his ring. Then, Giannis Antetokounmpo turned into a mythological creature. The Bucks won four straight games. Paul averaged 21.8 points and 8.2 assists in the series, but it wasn't enough.
The image of Paul standing on the court as the confetti fell for someone else is one of the most poignant moments in modern sports history. He was that close.
Why the Ring Count Doesn't Tell the Whole Story
It is easy to look at a box score or a Wikipedia page and say, "He didn't win, so he isn't the best." That’s a shallow take. Honestly, if you actually watch how the game is played, Paul’s impact is undeniable. He is currently second on the all-time assists list, trailing only John Stockton. Think about that. In the entire history of the league, only one person has been better at setting up teammates than Chris Paul.
🔗 Read more: What Channel is Champions League on: Where to Watch Every Game in 2026
He also sits near the top of the all-time steals list. He isn't just an offensive engine; he’s a defensive pest who has made nine All-Defensive teams. He’s a 12-time All-Star. He’s a member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. Basically, his trophy case is overflowing with everything except the one thing he wants most.
The "Curse" and the Injury Bug
Bad luck has followed CP3 like a shadow. You can't talk about how many championships does Chris Paul have without talking about the "what ifs."
- 2018 Western Conference Finals: Playing for the Houston Rockets, Paul had the Golden State Warriors on the ropes. They were up 3-2. Then, his hamstring gave out at the end of Game 5. He missed Games 6 and 7. The Rockets missed 27 straight threes in Game 7 and lost. If Paul stays healthy, do they beat the Cavs in the Finals? Most experts say yes.
- The Vetoed Trade: In 2011, a trade that would have sent Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers to pair with Kobe Bryant was famously "vetoed" by the league for "basketball reasons." We never got to see what that duo could have done.
- Lob City Heartbreak: During his first stint with the Clippers, injuries to either him or Blake Griffin seemed to happen every single April.
A Legacy Beyond the Ring
Paul’s career has been a nomad’s journey lately. He went from the Rockets to the Thunder, where he mentored a young Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Then the Suns. Then a brief, weird year with the Warriors, followed by a stint helping Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio. Now, he’s back where "Lob City" began, trying to provide one last spark for the Clippers in 2026.
💡 You might also like: Eastern Conference Finals 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
Even without a ring, Paul has changed the trajectory of every franchise he has touched. He took a 19-win Suns team to the Finals. He took a rebuilding Thunder team to the playoffs when everyone thought they’d be tanking. That is the definition of a floor raiser.
What's Next for CP3?
As the 2025-26 season winds down, the window is almost shut. Whether or not he manages to sneak a championship in at the 11th hour, his legacy is secure. He is the ultimate traditional point guard in an era that moved away from them.
If you are looking to truly appreciate the nuance of his game before he retires, pay attention to his mid-range jumper and how he manipulates screens. It’s a masterclass that won't be around much longer.
Actionable Insight for Fans:
If you want to understand the "CP3 Effect," don't just look at his highlights. Watch a full fourth quarter of a close game. Notice how he talks to his teammates, how he hunts for the mismatch, and how he never lets the opponent speed him up. That's the greatness that a championship ring—or the lack of one—can't fully capture. Keep an eye on the Clippers' playoff positioning this spring; it might be the last time we see the Point God in the postseason.