Chris Paul Surpasses Jason Kidd in All-Time Steals

San Antonio, Texas — Chris Paul etched his name into NBA history on Thursday night as he surpassed Jason Kidd for second place on the all-time steals list during a matchup against the Phoenix Suns.

In his 20th NBA season, Paul achieved this milestone early in the game, marking his 2,685th career steal. He had been tied with Kidd at 2,684 prior to the contest, and his achievement solidifies his status among the league’s elite defensive players.

“It feels amazing to reach this point in my career,” said Paul postgame. “To be mentioned alongside legends like Jason Kidd and John Stockton is something special. I still have more to prove, but I am grateful for this honor.”

Paul, averaging 1.3 steals per game this season, has previously led the NBA in steals six times and has been a nine-time All-Defensive Team selection. Notably, he matched Kidd’s career total in 67 fewer games.

Throughout his career, Paul has established himself as one of the top defensive guards in NBA history. He ranks alongside basketball greats like Stockton, Michael Jordan, and Clyde Drexler, all of whom have averaged at least two steals per game across their careers.

Adding to his impressive stats, Paul has recorded 109 steals against the Suns over his career, averaging 2.22 steals per game against the Arizona-based team, illustrating a unique proficiency in defending against them.

The historic moment took place shortly after the All-Star break, during which Paul participated in All-Star activities and added to his impressive accolades, including being honored as one of the best defensive players of all time.

Kidd, a former Dallas Mavericks star, previously held the second spot for years alongside Stockton, who remains the all-time leader. With this pass, the top three positions for all-time steals now consist of Stockton, Paul, and Kidd.

As the season progresses, Paul’s statistics continue to rise, making it increasingly challenging for future players to catch up to the top of the leaderboards. His consistency and experience are invaluable assets for the Spurs, who remain in playoff contention.

While Stockton holds a strong lead in both assists and steals, Paul aims to solidify his legacy as one of the greatest to ever play the game by continuing to contribute both offensively and defensively.

Teammate Victor Wembanyama, who also participated in the All-Star game, expressed excitement about Paul’s achievement, stating, “It’s incredible to watch Chris make history. It’s an honor to be his teammate during this historic time in his career.”