No. 2: April 18, 2019, Game 3 of the 2019 NBA Western Conference Quarterfinals vs. Denver Nuggets
MIN | PTS | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
33:00 | 36 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | .714 | .250 | .833 |
The San Antonio Spurs last playoff berth was in 2018-19, on a team led by LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan. San Antonio was the seventh-seeded team in the Western Conference, meeting the second-seeded Denver Nuggets in the postseason. The Nuggets were heavily favored in the series, but the Spurs managed to go the distance — extending the series to a crucial seventh game.
San Atnonio's second win came in Game 3 when they returned home to San Antonio. With the series tied 1-1, the Spurs took an early lead behind a phenomenal first half from the sophomore, Derrick White, scoring 16 points in the second quarter.
The 24-year-old sophomore led both teams in scoring, with 36 points, helping the Spurs survive in a close contest with the second-seeded Nuggets — making 15 of his 21 field goal attempts and grabbing five rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
While the Spurs ultimately lost the series (thanks in large part to a poor performance from White), White’s exceptional performance in Game 3 helped the Spurs extend the series, and demonstrated his potential as a future cornerstone.