San Antonio Spurs: The greatest Olympic performances in team history

MELBOURNE, AUS - AUGUST 24: Patty Mills #5 of the Australia Boomers walks out to the court before the game against USA on August 24, 2019 at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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2. Pau Gasol vs. Australia

Final Score: Spain, 89; Australia, 88

Box Score: 31 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 12-of-15 FG, 1-of-2 3P, 6-of-9 FT

Even while on the back-half of his career, Pau Gasol still producing at a steady enough clip to remain an All-Star on the wrong side of 30. That summer, the former two-time NBA champion inked a t2o-year, $30 million deal with the San Antonio Spurs, giving the Spurs an imposing frontcourt alongside LaMarcus Aldridge.

Beforehand, Gasol was working to catapult Spain to the next level. After back-to-back silver medals in 2008 and 2012, Spain again fell short of the ultimate goal, taking an 82-76 loss to the United States in the semifinal round.

Even with only a bronze medal to fight for, Gasol turned the clock back to his younger days, dropping in 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists on a pristine 12-of-15 shooting in an 89-88 victory over Australia and future teammate Patty Mills.

The official Olympic channel created a compilation of Gasol’s top games. That game — which became the highest-scoring Olympic game in Gasol’s career — is highlighted at the 4:32 mark of the video.

For Gasol, a future Hall of Fame lock, the game earns a few extra special points when considering that it could very well be the final he laces up with the “Espana” logo stitched across his chest.

Some of Gasol’s all-time performance is forgotten due to the controversial whistle that sent Sergio Rodriguez to the line, giving Spain a 1-point victory. This is especially since it sent Australia to 0-4 in medal games. But, at the end of the day, Gasol’s showing that night figures to be in the lore of Spain’s great games, regardless of sport.