Chris Paul brushes off any questions about injury after leading the Phoenix Suns to a 118-105 win over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday.
The Suns took the early lead in the series in Arizona, with Paul making his NBA Finals debut in his 16th season in the league, finishing with 32 points, four rebounds and nine assists.
Paul did not score in the first quarter but turned it around, although he was seen late in the game getting medical attention on the hand, which has partially torn ligaments.
“No, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Paul sheepishly said when asked about the injury.
The Suns led 30-26 at quarter-time but Paul was quiet in offense, while Giannis Antetokounmpo shook off a knee injury to take his place for the Bucks, scoring ight points and having five rebounds in the first.
“I saw the shots they were giving me and I was just missing them,” Paul said. “I just kept trying to be aggressive and our guys got going.
“Cam Payne and all the coaches were talking about playing with pace. I’m the old head who likes to slow it down sometimes. In this series we’ve got to play with pace.”
Paul had good support, with Devin Booker exceptional in his maiden NBA Finals, scoring 27 points with six assists.
Booker and Paul combined for 59 points, which is the most points from a starting back court on their NBA Finals debut.
DeAndre Ayton had 22 points along with 19 rebounds in the paint. When asked about Phoenix’s team unity, Paul added: “It’s trust. We’ve been building it all season long. We’re going to keep playing like that.”
Khris Middleton top scored with 29 for Milwaukee, with Antetokounmpo having 20 points and 17 boards as the Bucks closed within seven points in the last but always seemed off the pace.
