One of the most impressive streaks in all of pro sports just came to an end
For more than two decades, the San Antonio Spurs have been the picture of a consistent winner.
They haven’t had a losing season since they drafted Tim Duncan in 1997, and playoff appearances have been a given since President Bill Clinton was wagging his finger and saying, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman.”
One of the best representations of San Antonio’s consistent success has been its remarkable streak of 18 seasons with 50 or more wins, going back to 1999-2000. (It would be two years longer if not for the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season, when the Spurs won their first of five NBA titles.)
Well, that streak has now come to an end.
The Spurs’ 113-110 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday guaranteed they’ll fall short of the 50-win mark this season. They’re 45-33 with only four games left to play.
Oh, and this: Spurs' streak of 18-straight season of 50 wins has been snapped.
— Tom Orsborn (@tom_orsborn) April 4, 2018
Manu Ginobili had a chance to tie the game as time was running out, but the 40-year-old guard stepped out of bounds.
Tobias Harris records 31 PTS, 9 REB and Lou Williams scores 15 in the 4th quarter!@LAClippers take it over @spurs 113-110 to keep their playoff hopes alive. #ItTakesEverything
LaMarcus: 35 PTS, 9 REB, 3 BLK pic.twitter.com/cj6boVam9i
— NBA (@NBA) April 4, 2018
The Spurs’ mark of 18 consecutive 50-win seasons is likely to stand for a long, long time; no one has ever come close. The Los Angeles Lakers had 12 straight from 1979 to 1991, and the Dallas Mavericks made it to 11 in a row from 2000 to 2011.
Gregg Popovich’s team is still a winner, but it couldn’t overcome the absence of 2016-17 MVP candidate Kawhi Leonard, who missed almost the entire season with a quadriceps injury.
San Antonio is still battling to continue its other remarkable streak — 20 straight years of postseason appearances. The Spurs are in good position in the Western Conference, but they haven’t clinched with four games to go.
If they can keep that streak alive, they’ll tie the Portland Trail Blazers (1983-2003) at 21 — one behind the all-time mark of 22 by the Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers (1950-71).
Fans paid tribute to the 50-game streak on social media.
https://twitter.com/ChrissyFooty/status/981493763917991936
https://twitter.com/305_MiamiBoy_/status/981402910964748290
https://twitter.com/ScottDCaldwell/status/981405145446715392
This is the most impressive stat IMO. You won’t see this again
— Robbie Callaghan (@CallaghanRobbie) April 4, 2018
The Spurs close out the regular season with road games against the Lakers and Pelicans and home games against the Trail Blazers and Kings.
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