The Phoenix Suns just put on one of the most electrifying NBA Finals performances in history. But if you ask Chris Paul what the most important play of the game was, he'd tell you it wasn't any of their many, many buckets.
The Suns became just the third team ever to make 20 or more three-pointers in a single Finals game. They shot a stellar 20-for-40 from distance, annihilating the Milwaukee Bucks from outside.
Teams to make 20+ threes in a Finals game:
2017 Cavs
2019 Warriors
2021 Suns(Submitted by @DeePee30) pic.twitter.com/Jj2BHTVlza
— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 9, 2021
Chris Paul, however, felt that it was actually a rebound that was the most pivotal play of the game. Deandre Ayton, who didn't have an outstanding game from a box score perspective, snatched a board exactly when the Suns needed it most.
"It was probably the biggest play of the game." – @CP3
Deandre Ayton's huge offensive rebound sets up Chris Paul's late triple to help seal Game 2.#NBAFinals presented by YouTube TV pic.twitter.com/7SddGjGbfO
— NBA (@NBA) July 9, 2021
The Bucks had just cut the lead to six at that point, which was the closest they got for the entire fourth quarter. The score stood still for an entire minute, giving Milwaukee ample opportunity to cut the deficit to potentially a single possession. But Ayton did the same thing he's done throughout the playoffs. He put on his hard hat and got to work.
Article Continues BelowBefore this play, Ayton was visibly frustrated with his lack of tangible contributions for the game, but in a scene that looked like something out of a Hollywood movie, coach Monty Williams gave him a pep talk for the ages.
Monty Williams. Leader. pic.twitter.com/5Ou3XmYiyq
— ESPN (@espn) July 9, 2021
Deandre Ayton was everywhere after Monty’s pep talk late in the 4th quarter.
2 PTS
3 REB
1 AST
1 STL
1 BLKHe finished the game with 10/11/4/3/2. pic.twitter.com/gBFqUpjJIA
— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 9, 2021
Deandre Ayton has been instrumental for what the Suns have been able to accomplish in these playoffs. Chris Paul knew that he had to give it up to his big man to keep him in high spirits. They're definitely going to need him to close out this series.