Chris Paul's back, Suns clinch top seed with win in Denver

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Chris Paul was eager to rejoin his teammates who were having all the fun even if that meant playing his first game in five weeks at altitude.

Paul returned from a broken right wrist that sidelined him since the All-Star break to help the Phoenix Suns win their seventh straight game and wrap up the top seed in the NBA playoffs with a 140-130 victory over Denver on Thursday night.

"I’ve been playing pickup, 3-on-3, 2-on-2, but 5-on-5 is totally different, especially when your first game back is in Denver. I mean, whew!" said Paul, who had 17 points and 13 rebounds in serving as the ideal wingman for Devin Booker, who scored a season-high 49 points and 10 assists.

The number on Booker's mind, however, wasn't 49.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, left, drives past Denver Nuggets forward Jeff Green, center, who is screened by Suns center Deandre Ayton during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 24, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

"Sixty wins is something I never even thought of, to be completely honest," he said.

"We have a special team, it's that simple," Paul said. "But just being back for the warmup stuff, the pregame stuff, you know what I mean? There’s nothing like being part of this team. I’m just happy that I could get back."

The Suns trailed most of the game, but used a 36-24 fourth quarter to improve to their NBA-best road record to 30-6.

"To beat that team, you have to play almost perfect basketball," Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. "We did it for stretches tonight, but down the stretch they showed why they’re the best team in the NBA."

The Suns, who