5 times Manu Ginobili made us believe in miracles

4. Manu Ginobili’s (possible) final exit

When we think of great Manu Ginobili moments, we don’t need to go back years, months or even days, we can go back just hours ago.

After an eventful season, the Spurs found themselves in a hopeless situation. San Antonio was down 3-0 to the Golden State Warriors in a playoffs where nothing seemed to go right for them. Tony Parker ruptured his quad, they blew a huge lead in Game 1 after Kawhi Leonard went down with a sprained ankle, David Lee hurt his knee and LaMarcus Aldridge wasn’t playing up to potential. There wasn’t much to celebrate in San Antonio.

Except for one thing.

Spurs’ fans celebrated the career of someone who was special to them. Someone who helped bring joy, happiness and success to the city of San Antonio. Someone who means the world to them.

As the game came to a close in what would inevitably be a sweep for the Golden State Warriors, Manu Ginobili exited an NBA game for what could be possibly the last time. In a series filled with constant verbal jabs from players from each team, everyone took a moment to show respect and admiration to a true class act.

Steph Curry, who was at the free throw line stepped off and paid respect to Ginobili. AT&T Arena filled with chants of “Manu, Manu, Manu.” Ginobili, who was filled with emotion was visibly receptive to what was transpiring. Ginobili’s teammates greeted him with warm embraces and pats on the back.

In true Greg Popovich fashion, he gestured towards the court offering Ginobili a chance to see some more action. Manu waived it off, symbolizing that he had enough. But did he mean for the night? Or for his career?

Either way, Game 4 was a moment that we won’t soon forget.