16 Years Ago Today: Kevin Martin Stuns The Spurs
Apr 28, 2022, 9:46 AM | Updated: 9:50 am
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On this date in 2006, Kevin Martin stunned the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs with a buzzer-beater that Kings fans will never forget
April 28, 2006 – NBA Western Conference First Round
Kings 94, Spurs 93
The Sacramento Kings (44-38) clawed their way to the NBA Playoffs thanks to the efforts of newly-acquired forward Ron Artest, Mike Bibby, Brad Miller and Bonzi Wells.
Sacramento’s prize for making the playoffs? A first-round matchup with Tim Duncan and the number-one seeded San Antonio Spurs (63-19).
After falling behind 2-0 in the series, Arco Arena was packed and ready to bring the “ARCO Thunder” in Game 3. In a back-and-forth affair, San Antonio’s Michael Finley hit a go-ahead three-pointer to give the Spurs a 93-92 lead with 41 seconds remaining.
Artest would turn the ball over with 27.4 seconds left, giving the Spurs a chance to put the game away and take a commanding 3-0 series lead.
Manu Ginobli made his move with eight seconds left, but Mike Bibby picked off a pass that was intended for Tony Parker and pushed the ball up the floor with only five seconds remaining. Bibby would find a streaking Kevin Martin, who hung in the air and let a shot go as time expired, just over the reach of the former MVP Tim Duncan.
As the horn sounded, the ball danced on the rim for a brief moment before falling through the net, sending Arco Arena into pandemonium.
Sacramento had stunned the powerhouse Spurs, bringing themselves to within a game of tying the series at 2-2–which the Kings would do in blowout fashion two days later.
Bibby finished with 25 points for the Kings, while Artest scored 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Bonzi Wells contributed with 19 points and 14 rebounds, and the hero of the game Kevin Martin scored 10 points off of the bench.
