Manu Ginobili: Top 5 Gamewinners of his NBA career

Ginobili kisses trophy
Ginobili kisses trophy

A name that needs no introduction, Manu Ginobili is a 4-time NBA champion and is one of the greatest sixth man of all time. The San Antonio Spurs' legend played in the NBA for 16 seasons and spent his entire career with the Spurs. Manu was a member of the San Antonio's Big 3 with Tim Duncan and Tony Parker and the Spurs flourished because of the trio winning 4 NBA championships. Ginobili is one of the only two players in the history of NBA to have won a EuroLeague title, an NBA championship and an Olympic gold medal.

Manu's basketball career was filled with full of personal accolades. He was a 2-time Italian League MVP, EuroLeague Finals MVP, 2-time NBA All-Star, NBA Sixth Man of the Year. After getting selected by Spurs in the NBA 1999 draft with 57th overall pick, no one in their wildest dreams would have expected Manu to become the kind of player that he became.

Manu was known for his passing ability and his skills played a key role in Spurs' success, particularly in the post-season. We look at top 5 most memorable moments in Manu Ginobili's storied career.

#5 Game-Winning Rainbow 3 vs Celtics

Image courtesy of The Boston Herald

During the final season of his career, Spurs were up against Kyrie Irving and the Celtics who were on a 4-game winning streak. Kyrie exploded for the Celtics with 36-points but Boston could not get the win as Manu Ginobili made a game winning rainbow 3 over Al Horford with 5 seconds remaining.

This game is particularly memorable because the Spurs entered the game without their All-Star Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Anderson. They also lost Danny Green in the first half when he left the game with left groin tightness. Ginobili was +12 on the game and finished the game with 11 crucial points and only one turnover.

With scores tied at 102 in the closing stages, Ginobili came off the screen by LaMarcus Aldridge and made the clutch rainbow 3 that sank the Celtics.

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#4 Game-Winning Layup vs Memphis Grizzlies

Credit: Yahoo Sports
Credit: Yahoo Sports

In the 2013-14 NBA regular season, Spurs were playing the Memphis Grizzlies at home. The Spurs, who had a 16-point lead in the game's final five minutes, blew the lead and were forced to play the game in OT. Being down by 2, Mike Conley Jr. made a ridiculous floater to send the game into overtime.

In the overtime period, with just 1.8 seconds left and scores tied at 108, the Spurs' legend Manu Ginobili came up alive and made a game-winning driving layup. Mike Conley Jr.'s 29-foot 3-point attempt fell short at the buzzer and the Spurs got a memorable win. This was their fourth straight road game win and also their seventh against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Ginobili finished the game with 9 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals. Ginobili's late-game heroics ended Memphis' 6-game overtime winning streak.

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#3 Game-Winning 3 vs Golden State Warriors

Credit: mysanantonio
Image courtesy of mysanantonio

During the 2013 NBA Playoffs, the Spurs were pitted against the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Semifinals. The game 1 of the series was a wild one that ended up in a double-overtime win for San Antonio.

Manu hit a game winning 3 yet again in the clutch with only 1.2 seconds remaining in double OT for the win. He finished with 16 points, 7 rebounds, 11 assists and a steal to finish the game. The Spurs lost game 2 at their home but did not lose confidence and stormed back to win two road games while defending their own home court and ultimately advanced to the conference finals after winning the series 4-2.

Who knows what would have happened if the Spurs had lost game 1 in double OT. This game will be remembered forever because of Ginobili's heroics.

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#2 Game-Winner vs Phoenix Suns

Credit: National Basketball Association
Image courtesy: nba.com

The First Round of the 2008 NBA Playoffs between the San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns was another double OT classic. San Antonio finished third in the Western Conference in the regular season and had the home court advantage over Phoenix.

In the double OT, the Spurs had a foul to give and were leading by three, but failed to give it as Steve Nash hit a quick three to tie the game. Manu Ginobili put the team on his back and drove to the basket quickly for the game-winner, 117-115. Ginobili finished the game with 22 points.

Tim Duncan and Tony Parker also made huge impact on the game with 40 and 26 points respectively but it was Ginobili's clutch game-winner that saved the day for Spurs. The Spurs got the start they needed for the series and went on to win the series 4-1.

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#1 Game-Winning Block vs Houston Rockets

Houston Rockets v San Antonio Spurs - Game Five
Houston Rockets v San Antonio Spurs - Game Five

This has to be the best game-winning moment of Manu's career without a doubt. During the 2017 NBA Playoffs, Manu made a game-winning block on James Harden in game 5 of the Second-Round to give Spurs a huge OT victory.

The Spurs lost Kawhi in the second half due to ankle injury and were in a tough spot. That did not stop Ginobili from stepping up and produce one of the greatest plays of his career. James Harden who dominated the game for most part posted a triple-double and had 33 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Rockets were down by 3 and had the chance to tie the game with a 3-pointer. Rockets guard, Harden was blocked from behind on an attempt for a 3-pointer in final seconds of the game.

The Spurs edged past Rockets because of Manu's block and took a 3-2 lead in the second-round playoff series.

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Edited by Amulya Shekhar