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The run is over for the San Antonio Spurs and possibly the careers of veterans Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili. Moments after the Spurs were eliminated in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals Thursday night with a 113-99 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the 40-year-old Duncan wasn't ready to announce his future plans.
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"I'll get to that after I get out of here and figure out life. That's it," said Duncan, who scored 19 points with five rebounds in 34 minutes of action.
Head coach Gregg Popovich was surprised when asked after the game whether Duncan had played his last game with the Spurs after 19 seasons.
"Why do you say that?" Popovich asked. "Do you know something that I don't know? I just wanted to make that clear. Tim was playing really well. So we played him as much as we possibly could because he earned the minutes. He really did a good job."
The 38-year-old Ginobili said he plans to take his time in making the decision about a possible return to the Spurs for a 15th season.
"Of course, it's been an amazing run," said Ginobili, who scored five points in the game. "We all enjoy playing with each other. I'm so proud of having played with those guys for so many years and winning so many games, and even playing with the new guys.
"If there's a reason why you always want to come back and keep being part of this, (it's) because of the amazing chemistry, the good times and the good people that you play with and spend time with. It's not always about winning a game or winning a championship. But you learn from losses, and it's important to enjoy every day. Being a part of this team, I'm very proud of it, even if sometimes it doesn't go our way."
Duncan and Ginobili both have player options for the 2016-17 season -- Duncan's deal is $6.4 million while Ginobili's option total is $2.9 million.
Duncan is the second player in NBA history to win an NBA title in three different decades (John Salley is the other). Duncan has won five titles overall.
"(Duncan) played great," point guard Tony Parker said after Thursday night's game. "Pop went to him a lot, and he was aggressive. He was not thinking, just a big game."
Duncan, Parker and Ginobili are the first set of three or more teammates to win four titles together since Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Cooper and Kurt Rambis, according to ESPN.
Parker was asked about the futures of Duncan and Ginobili.
"Every year, it's the same thing with us," Parker said. "TD, obviously, and Manu, it's the same question every year. They're either going to come back or not. We'll see."
