The San Antonio Spurs have finished a season where they rather forget, but they made history in two ways.
The San Antonio Spurs were out of control for the unfortunate 2024-25 NBA season. In the hopes of making the postseason, they paired Victor Wenbanyama, a generation of young people, with Chris Paul.
San Antonio later added Dearon Fox, but then unfortunate injuries and illnesses piled up. The legendary Greg Popovich suffered a stroke in November and did not return. Wenbanyama was diagnosed with a blood clot in his shoulder, and the season ended on All-Star weekend, while Fox ended early with a finger injury.
Despite the disappointment, the Spurs made NBA history in their final game, garnering a 125-118 victory over the Toronto Raptors.
This season, veterans Paul and Harrison Burns all started 82 games. Paul was his 20th season, and his elite longevity and durability have been cast a shadow this season by LeBron James, a year older than him.
James plays with his son. It adds to the jaw-dropping storyline that was James’ career. Paul’s eldest son will not be committed to university until 2028, so he will not share the floor.
But along with Julian Champany, who played in all 82 games, the Spurs are the only team this season with three players playing in every game.
In fact, the Spurs are the first team since the Minnesota Timber Wolves in 2018, playing three players in all 82 games, with San Antonio not achieving feats in 2002 with Tim Duncan, Antonio Daniels and Mariclose.
Burns scored a career-high 43.6% from the 3-point range, and Champanee is on a team-friendly contract from 2026-27. If Paul returns, it’s safe to say that all three players will continue to play roles next season.
Paul is officially the third oldest player to play in all 82 games as of April 13th. He is preceded by John Stockton, who turned 40 during the 2002-03 season, and Michael Jordan, a few months older than Paul’s full season in 2002-2003.
However, Jordan came out of the bench in 15 games for the Washington Wizard. Paul is now the second oldest player in Stockton alone to win the title of the oldest player to start all games.
This season, Paul averaged 8.7 points and 7.4 assists. In his record season, Stockton averaged 10.8 points and 7.7 assists.
Earlier this season, Paul pushed Jason Kidd to the highest ever second place in both steals and assists, only Stockton in both categories. Stockton’s lead in these categories is nearly impossible to win, but if the team signs a 40-year-old contract next year, Paul could potentially pass Stockton’s age record.