The first game of the 2021 NBA Finals is in the books, and the Phoenix Suns have grabbed the lead.
The Suns, with home-court advantage, defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, 118-105, and possess the momentum entering Game 2.
Phoenix grew the lead to double-digits in the third quarter when Chris Paul took over, and once Paul seized control of the game, the Suns didn’t look back.
Paul dropped 32 points, nine assists, four rebounds and a steal in 37 minutes while shooting 12-of-19 overall, 4-of-7 from 3-point range and 4-of-4 from the free-throw stripe.
This series is the first time Paul is playing in the NBA Finals during his lengthy career.
With Phoenix and Paul three wins away from winning their first titles each, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James reacted to the moment on Twitter:
1 down. 3 to go @CP3
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 7, 2021
Paul and the Suns were the team that eliminated the Lakers in the first round this season — preventing L.A. from repeating as champions — but the friendship between James and Paul dates back a long time.
Game 2 is on Thursday, July 8 at 9:00 p.m. EST.
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