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Chris Paul is one of the best point guards in NBA history. The veteran has plied his trade for 16 seasons and has maintained an impressive level of consistency, considering the rigors of the sport. Paul has maintained that same intensity more often than not in the NBA playoffs.
But like every other player, the 36-year-old has had poor outings in the NBA playoffs. Although it could be argued that his slip-ups were not big in the grand scheme of things, they were still detrimental to his teams' prospects in the competition.
Paul is known for reviving teams and making them championship contenders. He did that with the LA Clippers, Houston Rockets and OKC Thunder and is currently helping a Phoenix Suns team who failed to qualify for the 2021 Western Conference Finals.
Despite his heroics in leading teams to the NBA playoffs, the guard is yet to win his first championship. While Paul is one of the smartest basketball players, he tends to go overboard on occasion, and that costs his team dearly.
On that note, let's look at Chris Paul's five worst NBA playoffs performances.
#5 2018 NBA Playoffs: Round 1, Game 5
Chris Paul joined forces with James Harden to lead the Houston Rockets to their sixth consecutive NBA playoffs appearance in 2018. While the Rockets were consistent in featuring in postseason action, they had a tough time getting past the second round.
There was a renewed urgency after Chris Paul's signing. He helped the team finish the regular season top of the Western Conference standings, with the Rockets going 65-17 on the season.
While the Houston Rockets made it to the final, it was not entirely because of Chris Paul's stellar performances on a nightly basis. In Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Chris Paul recorded one of the worst shooting nights of his career.
The Rockets managed to win the game, despite Chris Paul producing 12 points and recording 0-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc. The Rockets won by an 18-point margin, meaning that without Chris Paul, they could still have been up by six.
#4 2019 NBA Playoffs: Round 2, Game 5
Following a conference finals exit against the Golden State Warriors, Chris Paul and the Houston Rockets had the opportunity of exacting retribution against the same team the next year. Both teams were tied at two games apiece going into Game 5 of the Western Conference semi-finals.
The Warriors took a 3-2 lead in the series, with Chris Paul delivering an unimpactful performance for the Rockets. Paul is adept in knocking down threes, which is why his struggles in a game become apparent when he does not convert from beyond the arc.
Five of his 11 points in the game came from the free-throw line. He shot 21.4% from the field and went 0 of 6 from downtown.
#3 2015 NBA Playoffs: Round 1 Game 3
Chris Paul joined the LA Clippers in 2012 and led them to back-to-back NBA playoff appearances. In 2015, the Clippers had another go in the playoffs. and Paul was expected to lead the team on a deep run.
The first round was arduous, as Chris Paul and the Clippers needed a seventh game to overcome the San Antonio Spurs. However, the biggest win/loss margin of the series came in Game 3, which the Clippers lost by 27 points.
Chris Paul was not effective offensively, as he only managed seven points and four assists. He shot a measly 3-of-11 from the field and had a -27 plus/minus in that game.
#2 2012 NBA Playoffs: Round 2, Game 1
Chris Paul joined the LA Clippers for the 2011-12 season and led them to the NBA playoffs for the first time in five years. It was evident that his introduction to the team was the much-needed boost the franchise needed.
It was a hard-fought contest in Round 1, where the Clippers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies in seven games. Chris Paul and the Clippers then faced off against Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs next.
It's fair to say that both point guards did a good job in defense, but Chris Paul and Tony Parker struggled to contribute in offense.
Chris Paul ended the game with six points and 10 assists. He failed to convert from beyond the arc in three attempts and settled for mid-range jumpers. Nevertheless, he went three of 13 from the field and registered a -18 plus/minus for the Clippers, who were swept by the Spurs.
#1 2009 NBA Playoffs: Round 1, Game 4
Chris Paul's New Orleans Hornets made the 2009 NBA playoffs after a 7th-place finish in the regular season campaign in the Western Conference. It was his fourth season with the franchise and second consecutive playoff appearance.
Per NBA rules, the New Orleans Hornets were tied with the second-seeded Denver Nuggets. Chris Paul started on an extremely high note, recording double-doubles to help his team stay afloat in the contest.
However, things fell apart for Chris Paul in Game 4, as the Hornets were at the receiving end of one of the biggest blowouts in NBA playoffs history.
Chris Paul managed only four points, shooting a dismal 2 of 7 from the field, as the Hornets lost 63-121. The player also struggled in playmaking, making only six assists and turning the ball over six times on the night.
