SPORT NEWS: Chris Paul joins Stockton and Kidd as only players in NBA history with 12K assists.giang

San Antonio Spurs point guard Chris Paul became the third player in NBA history to amass 12,000 or more career assists on Friday during his team’s home game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Paul, who entered Friday with 11,997 assists, only needed 3:34 of game time to hit the 12K mark. The 20-year NBA veteran got there after finding Victor Wembanyama for an alley-oop dunk to give the Spurs an early 13-4 lead.

Paul joined assist leader John Stockton (15,806 career dimes) and current Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd (12,091) on the list.

It may not be long until Paul finds himself alone in second on the career assist list.

Paul began Friday needing 95 assists to move to solo second on the list. He’s averaged 8.6 assists per game until Friday, so if he continues around that pace, Paul could get there in about 11 or 12 games. That would mean hitting the mark either Dec. 6 versus the Sacramento Kings or Dec. 8 against the New Orleans Pelicans. Both games are in San Antonio.

Paul, a future first-ballot Hall of Famer, has excelled in San Antonio. The 39-year-old has averaged 10.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals to go along with his 8.6 assists. Thanks in part to his efforts, the Spurs have improved this year, starting 6-6 after finishing 20-62 last season.

It’s inevitable that he’ll end his career second in all-time assists, but for now, he and the Spurs are looking to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2019.