The Phoenix Suns head back to the Valley as the Western Conference Champions and will be heading to their third NBA Championship in the history of the franchise. The last time the Suns were in the finals was in 1993. To put into perspective just how long it’s been, Devin Booker wasn’t even born until 1996.
On the other hand, after 16 years in the league, Chris Paul will be heading to his very first NBA Championship. The future Hall of Famer scored 41 posts and was 7-8 from behind the arc.
Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton both played big minutes, combining for 82 minutes, 38 points, and 24 rebounds (17 from Ayton).
NBA
The @Suns lift the #NBAWCF presented by AT&T trophy and will represent the Western Conference in the #NBAFinals presented by YouTube TV for the first time since 1993! #ThatsGame pic.twitter.com/M6ImKWgkzF
— NBA (@NBA) July 1, 2021
Chris Paul in the series-clinching win:
☀️ 41 PTS
☀️ 31 PTS in 2nd half
☀️ 16-24 FGM
☀️ 7 3PM
☀️ 8 ASTThe @Suns defeat LAC 4-2 and advance to the #NBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV for the first time since 1993! #ThatsGame pic.twitter.com/Hq5lBtuhSM
— NBA (@NBA) July 1, 2021
Kellan Olson
The Phoenix Suns win the Western Conference pic.twitter.com/sqXKvMOE1X
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) July 1, 2021
ESPN Stats and Info
Chris Paul finishes with 41 points, tying his playoff career-high.
It's the 2nd-most in a playoff game by a player at age 36 or older in NBA history. Karl Malone scored 50 in 2000 against the SuperSonics. pic.twitter.com/S8IPZH52zY
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 1, 2021
ESPN
"Man, it sounds damn good. Damn good."
—@CP3 on how it feels to make it to the Finals (via @Rachel__Nichols) pic.twitter.com/0E9Qekrh9E
— ESPN (@espn) July 1, 2021
Lil Wayne x Chris Paul x Deandre Ayton celebrate the Suns making the Finals ☀️ pic.twitter.com/3EqOaRgSCo
— ESPN (@espn) July 1, 2021
The Ringer
📁Folder
└📁 Things You Love To See
└📂Things You Really Love To See
└📂Things You Really REALLY Love To See
└⚠️ One item found pic.twitter.com/65NCabTNPt— The Ringer (@ringer) July 1, 2021
Kendrick Perkins
My MVP got his team to the FINALS!!! Carry on… pic.twitter.com/A3iyHGLAfw
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) July 1, 2021
Clutch Points
Chris Paul REALLY wanted to celebrate with his team instead of doing a postgame interview 🤣https://t.co/1yFMkbaJBt
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 1, 2021