Spurs duo just set incredible record not even MJ and Pippen can claim
With Sunday’s 103-90 win over the Golden State Warriors, the San Antonio Spurs not only staved off elimination, they saw two of their star players make NBA history.
With the victory, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker set the NBA record for most playoff wins (132) by a duo on the same team. Parker actually bested himself, as the previous record was 131 wins, set by Parker and former teammate Tim Duncan.
Interestingly enough, third on that list is the duo Ginobili and Duncan, who teamed up for 126 wins.
This just shows how dominant the Spurs have been over the past two decades, as they’ve won five titles since 1999. Parker, who was drafted 28th overall in 2001, and Ginobili, who the Spurs picked 57th in 1999 (though he didn’t join the team until 2002), have been together for four of those titles (2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014).
Not even Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, who won six titles with the Chicago Bulls, recorded as many playoff victories together.
That’s not the only record Ginobli set this postseason. When he scored 10 points in the Spurs 116-101 Game 2 loss to the Warriors, he became the first player over 40 years of age to post double digits off the bench in the playoffs, according to ESPN.
He did it again Sunday, scoring 16 points off the bench, along with five assists, to spark the Spurs. Only Utah Jazz greats John Stockton and Karl Malone have had more than 15 points and five assists in a playoff game at age 40 or older.
Ginobili is also eighth all-time in playoff games played (217) and third all-time in playoff three-pointers (321 and counting). Only Ray Allen (385) and LeBron James (337) have more.
“Of course, the feeling of the last quarter was great because we were all doing good,” Ginobili said after Sunday’s win. “We were all fired up, and we saw we were in a great situation to get that win when we needed it. Now, we have a few hours to feel good about this win, and tomorrow, we’ll start thinking about Game 5.”
Ginobili’s 321st playoff three-pointer came with 27 seconds left to seal the game for the Spurs.
“I think he should come back two more years,” said Warriors coach Steve Kerr. “I smiled when he made that corner three right in front of us at the end of the game. It was just so typical Manu: (40) years old and 16 points, and hits the clinching three. He’s Manu. That’s what he does. I know he’s old because he was my teammate, and I’m old as dirt. So, if I played with him, he must be old.”
Game 5 will be played Tuesday in Golden State. Whether the season ends for Ginobili and Parker that night or sometime in June, it’s unclear whether basketball fans will ever get to see them play together after this season.
Neither Parker or Ginobili have indicated their intentions for next year, although some pundits think there’s a good chance that one or both could be back. Parker, who’s only 35, may be the more likely of the two return, but Ginobili is still playing well, so only time will tell.
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