The San Antonio Spurs were “supposed” to win Game 5 at home against the Houston Rockets, and they did just that. However, things got wild during a game that featured an early exit (due to injury) for Kawhi Leonard and a crazy overtime period that saw multiple lead changess. In the end, though, Manu Ginobili emerged as something of a star of the evening, as the future Hall of Fame guard made two of the more noteworthy plays in the game.
First, Ginobili turned back the clock and threw down a wildly unexpected dunk near the end of the first half.
MANUUUUUUUUU!!! 🔨🔨🔨#Spurs https://t.co/PMXylnI0Dp
— UPROXX Sports (@UPROXXSports) May 10, 2017
Then, he put a cap on things with a game-saving block on James Harden just before the final buzzer sounded.
Veteran move. Another look at Manu's game-winning block! pic.twitter.com/7knxHGpO0G
— NBA (@NBA) May 10, 2017
That seemed to please Spurs fans, or at least one of them, in attendance.
MANUUUU!!!! #Spurs WIN!!! https://t.co/WSrEWona0p
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) May 10, 2017
From there, the NBA world absolutely erupted and players weren’t shy about sharing their love of Manu.
Manu Ginobili !!😳
— Tomas Satoransky (@satoransky) May 10, 2017
El Manu
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) May 10, 2017
ginobili!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— C.J. Watson (@Quietstorm_32) May 10, 2017
MAAAAAANUUUUU
— Jamal Murray (@BeMore27) May 10, 2017
Manu Ginoblock
— Josuélito (@J_Rich1) May 10, 2017
Ginobiliiiiii!!!!!!
— Beno Udrih (@BenoUdrih1) May 10, 2017
The media (and fans) also greatly appreciated the contributions of the legendary left-hander.
https://twitter.com/SheaSerrano/status/862139439073681408
Manu's always there when you need him
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) May 10, 2017
When Manu Ginobili made his NBA debut, James Harden was in the 7th grade.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) May 10, 2017
Like swatting a bat. #Manu https://t.co/aBK0aIobUy
— J.E. Skeets (@jeskeets) May 10, 2017
Mills and Manu were spectacular. As great of a win as that was for SA, it was an even worse loss for Houston.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) May 10, 2017
Kawhi down. Parker down. Timmy retired. And Manu delivers. What a game. What a play
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) May 10, 2017
I'M A MANU! I'M 40!
— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) May 10, 2017
Finally, Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich placed his seal of approval on the proceedings, indicating that San Antonio’s longtime backcourt star “reached back” for a throwback performance.
Pop: "Manu reached back and gave us one of his Manu performances from past years. He was a stud."
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) May 10, 2017
This series isn’t over and it shouldn’t be treated as such, but Game 5 was a massive victory for the Spurs and a (very) familiar face was at the center of it all.