On April 23, 1998, a 21-year-old Tim Duncan scored 32 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a win over the Phoenix Suns in his first playoff game.
More than sixteen years later, he’s still racking up double-doubles.
Duncan’s tip-in early in the third quarter of Game 2 against the Heat tonight gave him 157 career double-double – tying Magic Johnson’s career playoff record.
Considering the Spurs will have at least two more games against Miami, Duncan is a good bet to pass Johnson during these Finals. Especially considering the Heat’s difficulty containing big men.
Duncan has a double-doubles in 77 percent of his playoff games – though just 40 percent this year. (For the record, Johnson had a double-double in 83 percent of his playoff games, though the Lakers’ faster pace gave him more opportunities to accumulate stats).
Really, Duncan’s record comes down to three major factors:
1. The Spurs’ team success giving Duncan many postseason games
2. A playoff format that includes more games than ever
3. Duncan being one of the best interior players of all-time