To commemorate a true legend, look back at Tim Duncan‘s best five games against the Milwaukee Bucks.
In maybe the least-surprising move in an absolutely insane NBA offseason, Tim Duncan has announced his retirement.
The 40-year-old big man had one of the best NBA careers of all-time, and led the Spurs on an unprecedented two decade stretch of consistent winning that hasn’t been matched by any team in any major American sport during Duncan’s career.
Many fun Duncan stats are currently being circulated on social media, but here’s one that hasn’t been shared as much: Duncan scored more points per game against the Milwaukee Bucks than he did against any other team.
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That means he’s had some great games against Milwaukee over his 19-year career. He’s surely had more than five outstanding performances against the Bucks in his 35 showdowns against Milwaukee, but for this piece we’ll just focus on the best five.
Scoring isn’t everything in determining a top game, but Timmy dropped a whole lot of points on the Bucks more than once in this list.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane and look at surefire Hall of Famer Tim Duncan’s top five games against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Next: Number Five
5. November 18th, 1999
Back when Duncan was a spry youngster in 1999, he had himself a strong game against the Bucks. This is the oldest game on the list, and thus it features the youngest iteration of TD.
Duncan scored 29 points and also added 14 rebounds, three assists and three blocks to the Spurs effort. Unfortunately for him it wasn’t enough, as the Bucks won the game 99-88.
You can tell that Duncan was a little younger and less disciplined back then–he turned the ball over seven times against a fairly talented George Karl-led Bucks team that night.
Duncan led San Antonio in scoring that game, but the overall team effort was lacking. David Robinson added 21 points, but no other Spur scored more than 11. That team was an entirely different animal before the arrival of Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.
Next: Number Four
4. January 2nd, 2013
Some 14 years after his fifth-best game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Tim Duncan had his fourth-best contest against Milwaukee. This one also took place in Milwaukee, although the Bucks did not emerge victorious this time.
Older Duncan may not be as flashy, but he was much more efficient. Timmy dropped 28 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, one steal and three blocks on the Bucks that night. He also turned the ball over just one time.
This Spurs team was a juggernaut, and was essentially the same one that would win the NBA Finals in the next season. It took a heart-breaking loss to the Miami Heat later in this same year to get them there, though.
The Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings-led Bucks gave Duncan and the Spurs a battle, but ultimately lost 117-110. At least it was an entertaining game, with Jennings scoring 31 points in the loss.
Next: Number Three
3. December 20th, 2005
Tim Duncan really is sort of timeless. All of these top five games are from different seasons, and the statistics in them aren’t very dramatically different from each other. They call him The Big Fundamental for a reason, after all.
Back in late 2005 he had a very fundamentally sound game against the Milwaukee Bucks, scoring 34 points and also adding 13 rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. Timmy lost control in this game though, and fouled out with six personal fouls.
With Duncan fouling out with mere seconds left in the first overtime period, the Bucks were able to pull off a dramatic two-point victory. Andrew Bogut scored both the tying and winning baskets for the Bucks, including a buzzer-beater to seal the deal.
It’s pretty tough to blame Duncan for the Spurs losing though, considering how much he did before he picked up that sixth foul. This is the only game where Duncan fouls out to make the top five, although it’s not the only overtime contest to be included.
Next: Number Two
2. March 25th, 2003
Surprisingly, this is the only game to take place in San Antonio to make this list. It’s also just one of two Spurs victories to be included. That’s also surprising, considering Duncan went 22-13 against Milwaukee over his 19-year career.
This game did not require overtime, as Duncan and the Spurs handled the Bucks easily enough in four quarters. The Big Fundamental recorded 31 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two blocks against Milwaukee.
What’s really incredible about this game was Duncan’s efficiency. He shot 75 percent from the field and was a perfect seven-for-seven from the free throw line. Scoring 31 points in just 16 shots is a remarkable feat.
This mediocre Bucks team shouldn’t have felt bad for losing 107-94 to the Spurs that year. San Antonio went on to win the NBA Finals in six games against the then-New Jersey Nets that season.
Next: Number One
1. December 29th, 2001
Tim Duncan’s best game against the Milwaukee Bucks was an epic one. Duncan dropped 38 points on the Bucks, the most he ever scored against Milwaukee.
He also added 16 rebounds, three assists and three blocks. The only mark against The Big Fundamental on that night back in 2001 were his six turnovers, although he only committed one foul in that game.
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Duncan played 50 minutes that night, more than any other player involved. He did his absolute best to elevate his Spurs to victory but ultimately came up short against a somewhat talented Bucks team featuring Sam Cassell, Glenn Robinson and Michael Redd.
Duncan scored four of the six Spurs points in overtime, but eventually missed a game-tying three-point attempt that essentially ended the game. Like always, Duncan gave absolutely everything he could to his team. It’s impossible to win them all, although Timmy did notch 1001 victories over the course of his career.
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No player can hope to compare to a legend as unique as Tim Duncan, but hopefully the young Milwaukee Bucks can learn from Duncan and approach the game as true professionals.