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Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton and Suns coach Monty Williams share Paul’s historic night of passing Magic Johnson on all-time assists list.

Arizona Republic

Devin Booker flashed that big smile of his and announced to the world where Monday night’s historic game ball is headed.

“IT’S GOING ON EBAY FOR A MILLION! YOU HEAR ME?” Booker shouted during a Zoom media interview with Paul standing to the side off camera.

Booker was just kidding.

If anything, it’s headed to Los Angeles for Magic Johnson to autograph if Chris Paul has anything to say about it as the Phoenix Suns All-Star point guard passed the Hall of Famer to become fifth on the NBA all-time assist list in Monday’s 128-127 overtime win at Milwaukee.

“The first thing I’m going to do is I’m going to send this ball to Magic and see if he’ll sign it for me,” Paul said while holding the game ball.

Paul now has 10,145 assists to Magic’s 10,141 after dropping 13 on Monday night.

“That’s Magic, that’s Magic,” said an excited Paul. “They’ll never be another Magic. Showtime. As a kid trying to do these no-look passes, Magic out there with the two big knee braces on. I don’t know man. It’s surreal.”  

Moving up the ladder, Paul is looking to pass Mark Jackson and Suns legend Steve Nash to become third all-time behind John Stockton and Jason Kidd.

  1. John Stockton 15,806
  2. Jason Kidd 12,091
  3. Steve Nash 10,335
  4. Mark Jackson 10,334
  5. Chris Paul 10,145
  6. Magic Johnson 10,141

“The man has proven that he’s a ‘Point God’ every time he play,” Suns center Deandre Ayton said. “Breaking milestones and stuff like. Accolades. It’s a honor to be a part of it. I dapped him up after he got the game ball. We all celebrated. I was like, ‘I appreciate you. I’m really honored to be a part of this.’ This is crazy.”

Paul said the best part about the historic night was the postgame locker room celebration.

“It’s cool to get the win and really cool to see Chris pass Magic Johnson in all-time assists,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. “I think he’s fifth now, which is absurd.” 

Paul found Booker for a transition dunk to pass Johnson with 4:05 left in regulation.

“It’s hard to put it in words,” Booker said. “That’s Magic Johnson. That’s Chris Paul. For me being a fan of this game for so long and being inspired by these guys and watching it continuously amount of film on both of them, it’s just no words for it. I’m inspired every day. I tell Chris that every day. It’s something I’m not going to take for granted.” 

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

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