Golden State Warriors guard Chris Paul did not start a game for the first time in his 19-year career in the Warriors’ 106-95 win over the host Houston Rockets.
“It’s whatever I’ve got to do to help our team win,” Paul said. “So if that means this, if it means not finishing some games or whatnot, you know if you get a chance to play long enough in your career, there are things that are going to change, there are things that are going to be different and I’m here.”
Paul had started 1,365 career games, which included the playoffs and the regular season.
On Sunday, after checking in with 6:58 left in the first quarter, he was a plus-8, fishing three assists.
He was plus-22 in his 27 minutes, finishing with eight points on 3-of-8 shooting, seven assists, five rebounds and one steal.
It was definitely different,” Paul said of coming off the bench. “But at the end of the day, it’s basketball.”
Golden State coach Steve Kerr has only accolades for the veteran.
“It’s massive the way Chris has embraced everything,” he said. “He just nodded his head and said: ‘Let’s go get ’em.’ Not even a big deal. When a vet, great player, All-Star shows that kind of sacrifice it just sets the tone for the whole team.”
