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It was a bold move, and it didn’t pay off: The Spurs did not advance in the playin in their battle with the Memphis Grizzlies. The good guys fought until the end, but their bid to start a new playoff streak came to an end. For the game, DeMar DeRozan and Rudy Gay led the team with 20 points each while Keldon Johnson had 11 points and 11 rebounds to join the double-double club with Jakob Poeltl who had 10 points and 10 rebounds. Dejounte Murray, as it’s becoming a nice habit, notched another triple-double with 10 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists.
Triple-double for DJ
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 20, 2021
10 PTS | 12 REB | 10 AST pic.twitter.com/UqLvXYYNDs
Rudy Gay almost single-handedly willed the Spurs to a win with threes like these:
Big bucket from @RudyGay pic.twitter.com/VOD9MuIDpB
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 20, 2021
And H-O-R-S-E shots like this:
RUDY, RUDY, RUDY! pic.twitter.com/9SsEXGr0Ur
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 20, 2021
Dejounte Murray’s triple-doubles are occurring more often because he’s rounding out his game to become a better point guard in addition to his already stellar rebounding chops. The next leap he’ll need to make is expanding his offensive repertoire. Here, DJ finds Jakob Poeltl for the sweet jam:
DJ dime Poeltl Jam pic.twitter.com/V6VYmlgHn4
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 20, 2021
DeMar DeRozan had a rough shooting night, but this swish gave the Spurs their first (albeit brief) lead of the night since the opening tip:
smooth like @DeMar_DeRozan | #GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/amBOQVt0kB
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 20, 2021
The way Patty Mills never quits and never stops moving is a great metaphor for the Spurs this season. Despite the circumstances, the Spurs never quit, and Patty Thrills showed up to shoot his way out of his recent slump, connecting on 3 of 6 from downtown.
Good on ya, @Patty_Mills pic.twitter.com/07Pq5OVtqu
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 20, 2021
An ode to Blockab’s defense, which anchored the Silver and Black’s defense all season.
JAK B!
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 20, 2021
ESPN pic.twitter.com/WVGrEdQp4A
If there’s one player who could have been a wrestler in another life tag-teaming with Stone Cold Steve Austin, it’s Keldon Big Body Johnson. Instead, he’ll just have to settle for taking the Spurs to the next step. It’s going to be a different vibe for KJ next season with crowd noise fueling his frenetic finishes.
WATCH YA HEAD KELDON pic.twitter.com/3ORQ61a1R6
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 20, 2021
Let’s wrap things up by sending you all out on a good note by showing the very first play of the game, back when things were still bright and hopeful:
DJ GONNA DJ
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 19, 2021
That's how you get us started, @DejounteMurray! pic.twitter.com/fqkHS8k9TQ
If you missed last night’s play-in drama, here are the full game highlights:
Next up, the Spurs go fishing and head into the off-season. I think a few new faces will be on the team next season, but as long as Patty Mills remains the bridge to their glorious past, we can look forward to a bright future.
Go Spurs Go!