Chris Paul becomes first player in NBA history with 20,000 points and 10,000 assists

Phoenix Suns star Chris Paul made history on Friday night in Los Angeles.

Paul, thanks to a free throw he sank in the second quarter of their 115-105 win over the Lakers at the Staples Center, became the first player in NBA history with 20,000 points and 10,000 assists in his career.

Paul entered the game just seven points shy of the 20,000-point mark. He had already eclipsed 10,000 assists, and is one of only six players in NBA history with that many.

The 36-year-old is kicking off his 17th season in the NBA this fall. He was averaging 18.3 points, 9.4 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game in 1,091 games throughout his career headed into Friday’s contest.

Paul had 10,285 assists headed into the game with the Lakers, and was just 49 assists behind Mark Jackson at No. 4 on the league’s all-time list. He entered the game 49 points shy of Antawn Jamison for the No. 46 spot on the league’s all-time scoring list, too.

Paul is the highest active player on the NBA’s all-time assist list, and should be able to overtake both Jackson and Nash before his career is done. Jason Kidd sits in second with 12,091, and John Stockton leads the way with 15,806.

Paul dropped a team-high 23 points and had four assists in the 10-point win, which handed the Lakers their second straight loss to start the new season.