WATCH: Spurs Celebrate Players for Breaking 24-Season Drought
In the NBA, it's rare for a player to suit up in all 82 games. This season, only 11 players managed to do it, although three of them played for the San Antonio Spurs.
Chris Paul, Julian Champagnie, and Harrison Barnes all accomplished the "Iron Man" feat this season. Paul had done it once before, during the 2014-15 season. Champagnie has never done it before, and Barnes has now done it four times, including three in a row.
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It was the first time the Spurs had three iron men since Tim Duncan, Antonio Daniels, and Malik Rose did it in 2001-2002.
After their last game, a win over the Toronto Raptors, the Spurs presented the trio with custom "82" jerseys.
Paul became the only player in his 20th season to play in all 82 games, and is the second oldest player, behind only John Stockton, to start in 82 games. Michael Jordan was a year older than Paul when he accomplished the feat with the Washington Wizards, but he came off the bench in 15 of those contests.
Champagnie and Barnes are both under contract next season, and each is a key wing in the Spurs' rotation. Paul is an unrestricted free agent, and if he decides not to retire, it's expected that he will return to the Spurs, who have room in their rotation to give him minutes.
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If Paul does return, he will likely come off the bench behind both De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle. Castle, notably, played in 81 games in his rookie season.
Check out the Inside the Spurs home page for more news, analysis, and must-read articles.
Related: Victor Wembanyama Rivals LeBron James, Stpehen Curry for Unique NBA Stat
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