At 39 years old, Chris Paul is demonstrating that his one-year deal with the San Antonio Spurs is shaping up to be truly memorable.

Telepathy transpired a couple of months into Johnson’s third NBA season, years after Paul had recovered from a supposed downswing to regain first-class status in the point-guard hierarchy. His Phoenix Suns were mired in a close game, down six to the Portland Trail Blazers and hoping to hamper one of the world’s sharpest shooters.

Paul’s tutelage has already begun in San Antonio. He recently warned rookie guard Stephon Castle about the dangers of sartorial sloppiness. If Castle checked in off the bench with his jersey untucked, he could be called for a delay of game, Paul told him, a niche rule Paul has exploited against opponents in the past.

Keldon Johnson had 25 points, Chris Paul added 15 points and 13 assists, and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 113-103 on Saturday night without coach Gregg Popovich, who missed the game due to illness.