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Michael C. Wright, ESPN Staff Writer
SAN ANTONIO — Chris Paul glanced up as a rookie during a game at Utah and read the words: “John Stockton, all-time steals and assists leader.”
“I’m gonna catch him,” he said he thought then, before realizing later, “That was a lie.”
Still, nearly two decades later, Paul remains on the chase, surpassing Jason Kidd on Sunday with career assist 12,092 to move into second place behind Stockton (15,806) during the San Antonio Spurs‘ matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. Paul reached his latest milestone with his third assist of the night, directed Victor Wembanyama‘s way with 7:06 left in the first half for a 25-foot 3-pointer.
“It’s an amazing accomplishment,” Spurs interim coach Mitch Johnson said. “It’s a privilege to be able to see it up close and personal. The NBA is a league full of the best players in the world, and to see someone who’s been able to do it for as long as Chris, at the greatness he has, is pretty unique.”
Paul, 39, accomplished the feat on a night when Wembanyama returned to the lineup after a three-game absence because of back soreness. San Antonio called for a timeout with 6:46 left in the first half, and the game was stopped briefly to commemorate Paul’s milestone with a short video tribute on the scoreboard at Frost Bank Center.
After a 13-assist performance Friday against Sacramento — which included six dimes in the first quarter alone — Paul didn’t log his first assist against the Pelicans until the 9:40 mark of the second quarter, hitting Keldon Johnson, who delivered a 6-foot jumper. With 8:02 remaining in the first half, Paul dished an assist to veteran Harrison Barnes in the corner for a 3-pointer.
“He’s resilient. I think that’s the word for him,” teammate Julian Champagnie said. “He figures it out.”
Paul’s assists have gone to 173rd different recipients over the course of his 20-year career.
“Incredible to see what he’s still doing,” said Pelicans coach Willie Green, who spent one year as a teammate of Paul’s with the New Orleans Hornets and two more with him with the LA Clippers. “His mind is still working like he’s processing the game. He’s helping the young guys. He’s working with these guys in practice, and you can see the team’s growth since he’s gotten here.”