The Remarkable Resurgence of 39-Year-Old Chris Paul: Still Dominating the Game

Chris Paul, now 39 years old, continues to dazzle fans and critics alike with his remarkable performances. In a recent game against the Sacramento Kings, Paul led the San Antonio Spurs to an impressive 116-96 victory. Starting for 30 minutes, he posted 12 points, 6 rebounds, 11 assists, and 2 steals, and boasted a +28 in plus-minus, the highest on the team. After this game, Paul's career assists reached 11,986—putting him just 105 shy of Jason Kidd’s all-time second place. If all goes as expected, Paul may claim this spot before 2025 begins. Despite this upcoming milestone, Stockton’s assist record of 15,806 remains a long shot, with nearly 4,000 assists separating them—a margin that would require even a peak Paul to play at least four additional seasons to overcome.

Paul's play this season has already outpaced last year's metrics, both in volume and efficiency. In just 11 games, Paul has recorded four double-doubles, a stark improvement from his previous season with the Golden State Warriors, where he achieved five double-doubles in 58 games. The past year marked a low point in his career, with Paul coming off the bench for the first time and posting career-lows in several areas: he averaged 9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, shooting 44.1% from the field, 37.1% from three, and 82.7% from the line for a true shooting percentage of 54.4%.

Given the visible decline over his three years with the Phoenix Suns and the adjustment to a bench role, many fans and analysts expected Paul’s downward trend to continue, especially as he reached his late 30s. Yet, this season has seen a surprising shift. So far, Paul has started all 11 games, averaging 28.5 minutes, 10.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 8.4 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, ranking sixth in the league in assists. His efficiency has climbed across the board, with shooting splits of 46.6% from the field, 37.3% from three, and a perfect 100% from the free-throw line, leading to a career-high true shooting percentage of 61.9%.

While Paul’s shooting percentages remain similar to last season’s, his increase in true shooting efficiency can be attributed to a strategic shift in his shot selection. Last season, he attempted an average of 8.1 shots per game, with 3.6 being from beyond the arc. This season, he’s maintaining a similar shot volume at 8.0 attempts per game but has upped his three-point attempts to 5.4. This increase in three-point attempts has helped boost his overall efficiency.

But Paul’s greatest impact on the Spurs isn’t scoring—it’s his unparalleled playmaking. His connection with star rookie Victor Wembanyama is quickly becoming a highlight reel. Paul has delivered over 180 passes to Wembanyama, yielding 32 assists—over a third of his total assists this season and both figures leading the team. Paul’s presence has also positively impacted other teammates, especially Jeremy Sochan, for whom he’s delivered 56 passes and 12 assists. Before his recent injury, Sochan was averaging career-highs in points and rebounds at 15.4 and 7.7, respectively.

These contributions are underscored by Paul's on-court impact metrics. When Paul is on the court, the Spurs outscore opponents by 5.9 points per 100 possessions. Conversely, they’re outscored by 10.7 points per 100 possessions when he’s on the bench. Paul currently holds a team-best +49 cumulative plus-minus, a testament to his invaluable presence. The Spurs’ success is even more evident when Paul and Wembanyama share the floor, with the team outscoring opponents by 7.9 points per 100 possessions.

The Spurs’ current record stands at 5-6 after 11 games. Compared to last season, when the Spurs took 29 games to reach their fifth win at 5-24, this record suggests a substantial improvement that has fans cautiously optimistic about a potential playoff push. If San Antonio were in the Eastern Conference, their current record would even place them in fourth place—a testament to the challenges and competitiveness of the Western Conference. However, regardless of the conference standings, this year’s Spurs team is poised for a more successful season than last year’s, thanks in no small part to Paul’s influence.

Wembanyama’s Rapid Growth Under Paul’s Guidance

While Paul has received much of the spotlight, his connection with Wembanyama, one of the league’s most promising rookies, is just as noteworthy. Wembanyama’s season began with a relatively modest start by his standards, but his recent performances have displayed his tremendous potential. In the last two games, he recorded 24 points, 16 rebounds, and 7 blocks (including an impressive 6-for-9 from three-point range) in one, and followed up with 34 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocks (6-for-12 from beyond the arc) in the next. He currently averages 19.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 3.9 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game.

Wembanyama’s shooting numbers, 44.6% from the field, 31.3% from three, and 92.1% from the line, yield a true shooting percentage of 56.6%. While there is room for improvement, his recent surge in three-point accuracy has been a welcome development. Should Wembanyama continue to improve his three-point shooting, the NBA's other 29 teams may have serious challenges in defending him. His defensive impact alone could position him as a top contender for Defensive Player of the Year, as he consistently alters shots and deters opponents with his impressive reach and timing.

As the season progresses, Wembanyama’s growth trajectory looks increasingly promising, and he has the potential to become one of the faces of the NBA in the coming years. While matching Paul’s peak is a tall order for any young player, Wembanyama’s unique skill set and Paul’s mentorship could prove transformative.

A Smart Investment with Limited Risk

San Antonio's decision to sign Paul to a one-year, $10.5 million deal appears to be a strategic move to balance mentorship with immediate on-court impact. Given Paul’s age, the Spurs likely understood the low risk of a one-year deal while reaping the developmental rewards he brings for their younger stars. Though a championship push remains a distant goal without further major improvements, Paul’s role in aiding Wembanyama and the rest of the Spurs roster during this phase can’t be understated.

Paul’s impact in San Antonio thus far has exceeded expectations, defying the notion of a veteran winding down his career. Instead, he’s orchestrating a young team with renewed vigor, precision, and efficiency, even showing flashes of the playmaking magic that made him one of the game’s best point guards. Whether or not the Spurs are contenders this year, they’re laying a solid foundation for future success.

Paul’s value lies not only in the stat sheet but also in his mentorship, leadership, and the culture he’s helping instill in a team eager to grow. As he chases the last records of his Hall of Fame career and guides Wembanyama and others, Chris Paul has shown that he’s far from finished, and he might just be adding a few more memorable chapters to his legacy in San Antonio.