Editing Tim Duncan (section)

====Playoff disappointments (2007–2013)====
During the [[2008 NBA All-Star Weekend]], Duncan was a member of the San Antonio team that won the [[NBA All-Star Weekend Shooting Stars Competition|Shooting Stars Competition]].<ref>{{cite web|title=NBA All-Star Shooting Stars Winners|date=August 24, 2017|website=NBA.com|url=http://www.nba.com/history/all-star/shooting-stars#/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224155543/http://www.nba.com/history/all-star/shooting-stars|archive-date=February 24, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> For the season, he played 78 games and posted his typical 20/10 numbers,<ref name="nbastat">{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/tim_duncan/career_stats.html |title=Tim Duncan&nbsp;– Career Stats and Totals |work=NBA.com |access-date=September 29, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013114615/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/tim_duncan/career_stats.html |archive-date=October 13, 2014}}</ref> San Antonio concluded the [[2007–08 NBA season|2007–08]] regular season with a 56–26 record, finishing behind the Lakers and [[New Orleans Hornets]] in the Western Conference and setting up themselves for a first-round contest against the Suns. The Suns—defeated by the Spurs in three of the past four seasons of playoffs—were out for revenge and featured a new player in four-time NBA champion Shaquille O'Neal. In Game 1, Duncan set the tone with a 40-point game and a rare [[three-pointer]] that sent the game into double overtime.<ref>{{cite web|last=White|first=Elizabeth|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20080419/PHXSAS/recap.html|title=Duncan Scores 40 to Lead Spurs to Game 1 Win Over Suns|work=NBA.com|date=April 19, 2008|access-date=May 1, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111110222/http://www.nba.com/games/20080419/PHXSAS/recap.html|archive-date=January 11, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The trio of Duncan, Ginóbili and Parker continued playing to form for the remainder of the series, and the Spurs eliminated the Suns in five games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/playoffs2008/series/series_w1s3.html|title=Spurs KO Rattled Suns to Close Out Series|work=NBA.com|date=April 30, 2008|access-date=May 1, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430130731/http://www.nba.com/playoffs2008/series/series_w1s3.html|archive-date=April 30, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the first game of the next round against the [[Chris Paul]]-led Hornets, San Antonio was badly defeated 101–82 as Duncan played one of the worst playoff games in his career, recording only 5 points and 3 rebounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20080503/SASNOH/recap.html|title=West, Hornets Sting Spurs in Game 1|work=NBA.com|date=May 4, 2008|access-date=May 5, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111110227/http://www.nba.com/games/20080503/SASNOH/recap.html|archive-date=January 11, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Spurs dropped the next game as well, but recovered in Games 3 and 4, with Duncan putting up a team-high 22 point/15 rebound/4 block performance in the game that tied the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20080511/NOHSAS/boxscore.html|title=Hornets at Spurs Game Info|work=NBA.com|date=May 11, 2008|access-date=May 12, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111120803/http://www.nba.com/games/20080511/NOHSAS/boxscore.html|archive-date=January 11, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Duncan then recorded 20 points and 15 rebounds in Game 6,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=280515024|title=Ginobili, Duncan dominate as Spurs force Game 7|work=ESPN|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|date=May 15, 2008|access-date=June 30, 2020|archive-date=June 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630071305/https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=280515024|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the Spurs relied on their experience to seal the series in Game 7.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=280519003|title=Spurs outlast youthful Hornets, win Game 7 to advance to conference finals|work=ESPN|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|date=May 19, 2008|access-date=May 26, 2008|archive-date=October 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021005209/http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=280519003|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, arch-rivals [[Los Angeles Lakers]] defeated San Antonio in five games in the Conference Finals, and the Spurs once again failed to capture back-to-back NBA championships.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20080529/SASLAL/recap.html|title=Bryant Leads Lakers past Spurs, into NBA Finals|work=NBA.com|date=May 29, 2008|access-date=June 14, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111120807/http://www.nba.com/games/20080529/SASLAL/recap.html|archive-date=January 11, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Tim duncan vs wizards 2009 cropped.jpg|thumb|left|Duncan with the ball in 2009]]
Duncan started the [[2008–09 NBA season|2008–09 season]] with strong showings in points and rebounds per game. However, by mid-season, his performance declined and he was subsequently diagnosed with chronic knee [[tendinosis]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3934515|title=Duncan out with quad tendinosis|work=ESPN|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|date=July 18, 2009|access-date=June 30, 2020|archive-date=June 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630071259/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3934515|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite Duncan having problems with his knee and the team losing the services of shooting guard Ginóbili for most of the season, San Antonio qualified for [[2009 NBA Playoffs|the playoffs]] as the third seed with a 54–28 record.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2009.html|title=2008–09 NBA Season Summary|publisher=Basketball-reference|access-date=April 16, 2009|archive-date=June 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604203051/http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2009.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="2009pred">{{cite web|last=Hollinger|first=John|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2009/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=PERDiem-090417|title=PER Diem: April 17, 2009|work=ESPN|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|date=April 17, 2009|access-date=June 20, 2020|archive-date=October 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022012220/https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2009/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=PERDiem-090417|url-status=live}}</ref> Coupled with an aging supporting cast (Bowen, [[Michael Finley]] and [[Kurt Thomas (basketball)|Kurt Thomas]] were all in their late 30s), however, the Spurs were only considered fringe contenders for the championship.<ref name="2009pred"/> As it turned out, Duncan and Parker were not enough to help the Spurs avoid a 4–1 defeat by Dallas, and the Spurs were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2000.<ref>{{cite web|last=Weber|first=Paul|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20090428/DALSAS/recap.html|title=Mavericks oust Spurs from playoffs with 106–93 win|work=NBA.com|date=April 29, 2009|access-date=April 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111101309/http://www.nba.com/games/20090428/DALSAS/recap.html|archive-date=January 11, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

With the Spurs looking to provide a more solid supporting cast in the [[2009–10 NBA season|2009–10 season]], they acquired [[Richard Jefferson]], [[Theo Ratliff]], [[Antonio McDyess]], [[DeJuan Blair]], and [[Keith Bogans]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 23, 2009 |title=Bogans to join 5th team in 7 seasons |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=4495600 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630071302/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=4495600 |archive-date=June 30, 2020 |access-date=June 30, 2020 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures}}</ref> The team got off to a 5–6 start, but a series of double-double performances by Duncan gave them a 9–6 record by the end of November. Duncan was subsequently named the Western Conference Player of the Week for the last week of November.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/tim_duncan_potw_091130.html|title=Tim Duncan Named Player Of The Week|work=NBA.com|date=November 30, 2009|access-date=December 4, 2009|archive-date=January 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111171822/http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/tim_duncan_potw_091130.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Even at 34 years of age, he remained a constant 20–10 threat, being only one of three players in the league at the mid-season to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds a game. On January 21, 2010, Duncan was named as the starting forward for the West for the 2010 NBA All-Star Game.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/allstar2010/news/story?id=4846991|title=All-Star starters announced Thursday|publisher=ESPN|date=January 21, 2010|access-date=June 30, 2020|archive-date=August 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801181836/https://www.espn.com/nba/allstar2010/news/story?id=4846991|url-status=live}}</ref> After securing yet another 50-win season,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jochnau |first=Garrett |date=April 5, 2013 |title=Celebrating 14 San Antonio Spurs 50-Win Seasons and Counting |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1593539-celebrating-14-san-antonio-spurs-50-win-seasons-and-counting |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922183819/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1593539-celebrating-14-san-antonio-spurs-50-win-seasons-and-counting |archive-date=September 22, 2019 |access-date=September 22, 2019 |website=Bleacher Report}}</ref> the Spurs qualified for the [[2010 NBA Playoffs|playoffs]] as the seventh seed, and defeated Dallas 4–2 in the first round, only to lose 4–0 to Phoenix in the next round.<ref>{{cite web|title=2010 NBA Playoffs Summary|website=Basketball-reference|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2010.html|access-date=September 22, 2019|archive-date=June 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622072749/http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2010.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Eleven games into the [[2010–11 NBA season|2010–11 season]], Duncan became the Spurs' all-time leader in points scored and games played.<ref>{{cite web|last=Aragon|first=Andrew|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20101119/SASUTA/gameinfo.html|title=Jazz-Spurs notebook|work=NBA.com|date=November 20, 2010|access-date=November 20, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123131234/http://www.nba.com/games/20101119/SASUTA/gameinfo.html|archive-date=January 23, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Along the way, the Spurs compiled a 12-game winning streak to go 13–2 after 15 games. On November 30, 2010, Duncan recorded his third career [[triple-double]] against the [[Golden State Warriors]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=301130009|title=Tim Duncan's 15–18–11 leads Spurs to rout of Warriors|work=ESPN|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|date=November 30, 2010|access-date=June 30, 2020|archive-date=June 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630071301/https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=301130009|url-status=dead}}</ref> 12 days later, in a game against the [[Portland Trail Blazers]], Duncan became the [[List of National Basketball Association career games played leaders|94th player in NBA history to play 1,000 games]]. Through his 1,000th game, the Spurs have been 707–293; only [[Scottie Pippen]] (715–285) had a better record with his team through his first 1,000 games.<ref>{{cite web|last=Monroe|first=Mike|url=http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2010/12/12/duncan%E2%80%99s-1000th-game-brings-707th-win/|title=Duncan's 1,000th game brings 707th win|publisher=blog.mysanantonio.com|date=December 12, 2010|access-date=December 13, 2010|archive-date=January 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111141138/http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2010/12/12/duncan%E2%80%99s-1000th-game-brings-707th-win/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Spurs were 29–4 after 33 games—one of the ten best starts in NBA history<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=310101024|title=Spurs turn up D to stymie Kevin Durant, Thunder in romp|work=ESPN|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|date=January 1, 2011|access-date=June 30, 2020|archive-date=July 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703105600/https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=310101024|url-status=dead}}</ref>–and led the league at 35–6 halfway through the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/reportcard/midseason/2011/spurs/?ls=iref:nbahpt1|title=San Antonio Spurs Report Card|work=NBA.com|access-date=January 20, 2011|archive-date=January 22, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110122055512/http://www.nba.com/reportcard/midseason/2011/spurs/?ls=iref:nbahpt1|url-status=live}}</ref> Although Duncan produced career lows in points and rebounds per game, the Spurs ended the regular season as the first seed in the West for the [[2011 NBA playoffs]], and were second in the league (to Chicago). Despite finishing with a 61–21 record, however, the Spurs could not avoid being upset in the first round, 4–2, by the eighth-seeded [[Memphis Grizzlies]].{{cn|date=February 2025}}

[[File:Tim Duncan All-Star 2011.jpg|alt=Duncan in a red shirt|thumb|upright|left|Duncan as an All-Star for the West in 2011]]
The Spurs again finished the [[2011–12 NBA season|2011–12 season]] as the number one seed in the West—it was a lockout-shortened 66-game season—tying with the Chicago Bulls for a league-best 50–16 record.<ref>{{cite web|title=2011–12 NBA Season Summary|work=Basketball-reference|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2012.html|access-date=May 21, 2023|archive-date=February 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212070926/https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2012.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Prior to a game against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 24, 2012, head coach Gregg Popovich decided to give Duncan a night off by listing him on the official scorecard as "DNP-OLD", poking fun at his 36-year-old body.<ref>{{cite web|last=Dwyer|first=Kelly|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/tim-duncan-missed-sunday-night-spurs-game-because-081218158.html|title=Tim Duncan missed Sunday night's Spurs game because he's 'old,' officially|work=Yahoo.com|publisher=Yahoo Inc.|date=March 26, 2012|access-date=May 4, 2012|archive-date=March 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312142740/http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/tim-duncan-missed-sunday-night-spurs-game-because-081218158.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Overall, Duncan's numbers remained at par with the previous season. The triumvirate of Duncan-Parker-Ginóbili entered the [[2012 NBA playoffs]] well-rested and healthy, and the Spurs swept the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers 4–0 in the first two rounds. On May 31, 2012, in the third game of the Western Conference Finals against the [[Oklahoma City Thunder]], Duncan set the record for most career blocks in playoffs history, surpassing [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]]. The Spurs' playoff run came to an end when the Thunder defeated them 4–2.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

On July 11, 2012, Duncan agreed to re-sign with the Spurs. Helped by a supporting cast comprising [[Danny Green (basketball)|Danny Green]], [[Tiago Splitter]], [[Gary Neal]] and [[Kawhi Leonard]] that had been maturing steadily over the last two seasons, Duncan and the Spurs would again make the [[2013 NBA Playoffs|playoffs]] with a 58–24 regular season record. Duncan also returned to the All-Star line-up and was named to the All-NBA First Team. He finished the regular season with 23,785 career points, which broke [[George Gervin]]'s record for most points in a Spurs uniform (23,602). In the playoffs, the Spurs swept the Los Angeles Lakers, beat Golden State in six games and defeated the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference Finals in a 4–0 sweep to reach the NBA Finals. In Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, Duncan recorded his 500th playoff block, becoming the first player in NBA history to reach that milestone, although the NBA did not track blocks prior to the 1973–74 season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Favale |first=Dan |date=May 22, 2013 |title=Tim Duncan Becomes 1st Player in NBA History to Record 500 Playoff Blocks |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1648046-tim-duncan-becomes-first-player-in-nba-history-to-record-500-playoff-blocks |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611151449/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1648046-tim-duncan-becomes-first-player-in-nba-history-to-record-500-playoff-blocks |archive-date=June 11, 2013 |access-date=May 22, 2013 |website=Bleacher Report}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/120711_spurs_sign_tim_duncan|title=Spurs Re-sign Tim Duncan|work=NBA.com|date=July 11, 2012|access-date=April 21, 2013|archive-date=November 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113212011/http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/120711_spurs_sign_tim_duncan|url-status=live}}</ref> The Spurs met defending NBA champions [[Miami Heat]] in the [[2013 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]] in a tightly contested series. Miami had home court advantage, but San Antonio took the first game and headed into game 6 with a 3–2 lead. In that game, Duncan scored 25 points in the first half,<ref>{{cite news|first=Beckley|last=Mason|title=Spurs Stick to the Plan, With Devastating Results|date=June 19, 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/20/sports/basketball/spurs-stay-with-decisions-that-got-them-to-finals.html|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 23, 2024}}</ref> his biggest haul in a half of an NBA Finals game.{{Cn|date=November 2024}} However, the Spurs lost the game in overtime, and then lost the deciding seventh game.<ref>{{cite news|first=Matthew|last=Tynan|title=Do-Over Week: Leave Tim Duncan in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals?|date=May 7, 2020|work=The Athletic|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1778421/2020/05/07/do-overs-week-leave-tim-duncan-in-game-6-of-the-2013-nba-finals/|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 23, 2024}}</ref>