Chris Paul
Chris Paul continues to cement his legacy as one of the greatest point guards in NBA history.
On Thursday night, the veteran floor general recorded the 2,685th steal of his illustrious career, surpassing Hall of Famer Jason Kidd for second place on the league’s all-time steals leaderboard.
The historic moment came in the first quarter of the game when Paul stripped Devin Booker with 5:24 remaining, adding yet another milestone to his resume.
This marks the second time Paul has leapfrogged Kidd this season on a prestigious all-time list. In December, he moved past Kidd for second place on the NBA’s career assists leaderboard after dishing out his 12,092nd assist.
While Paul’s achievement is remarkable, the all-time steals record still belongs to John Stockton, who amassed an astounding 3,265 steals during his career.
Stockton’s mark remains one of the most untouchable records in NBA history, but Paul’s ability to maintain an elite level of play in his 20th season underscores his longevity and defensive prowess.
Throughout his career, Paul has been a defensive stalwart, leading the league in steals six times (2007-08, 2008-09, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14) and earning nine All-Defensive Team selections, including seven First-Team honors.
His commitment to defense has placed him among an exclusive group of players who have averaged at least two steals per game over their careers while playing in more than 1,000 games. This elite club includes Stockton, Michael Jordan, Maurice Cheeks, Clyde Drexler, and Scottie Pippen—all Hall of Famers.
As Paul continues to add to his career totals, his place in basketball history is undeniable.
Whether he eventually reaches Stockton’s record or not, his ability to disrupt opposing offenses and rack up steals at an elite level will be remembered as one of the defining aspects of his game. With each passing game, Paul further solidifies his reputation as one of the most complete and impactful point guards the NBA has ever seen.