Ranking every San Antonio Spurs playoff run since 1999

The Spurs' 2026 NBA Finals run wasn't a fluke; instead, it was a return to normalcy for one of the greatest organizations in league history. San Antonio has a long tradition of deep postseason success, and after an era of rebuilding, they're right back to where they belong: a Western Conference powerhouse.

So where did that 2026 Finals appearance rank among every Spurs playoff run since 1999? We'll explore that in this piece, focusing on second-round appearances or higher.

#16: 2010 Second Round Exit vs. Suns

After beating the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2010 NBA Playoffs, the seventh-seeded Spurs faced an elite Suns team that won 54 games during the regular season.

Phoenix gave San Antonio a taste of their own medicine by sweeping them as well, behind some amazing performances from Steve Nash, Amar'e Stoudemire, and Jason Richardson. It marked the end of what was an overall underwhelming year for the Spurs.

#15: 2002 Second Round Exit vs. Lakers

The Spurs squeaked past the Seattle SuperSonics in the first round of the '02 playoffs, setting up a matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers. These teams had the same regular-season record at 58-24, so this second-round meeting felt perfect.

Despite getting an awesome two-way performance from Tim Duncan, who averaged 29 points, 17.2 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks, San Antonio couldn't come out on top. They lost the series in five close games.

#14: 2006 Second Round Exit vs. Mavericks

The top-seeded Spurs won their first-round bout against the Sacramento Kings in six games, setting up a meeting with the fourth-ranked Dallas Mavericks.

This series featured an elite duel between Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki, along with an amazing performance from San Antonio's Big 3 of Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker. But Dallas upset San Antonio in seven games, crushing their hopes for a back-to-back title run.

#13: 2016 Second Round Exit vs. Thunder

After sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies, the Spurs came to blows with a determined, hungry Thunder team in the second round. This series was competitive, and San Antonio got some great production from LaMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard but ultimately lost in six games.

#12: 2004 Second Round Exit vs. Lakers

In the 2004 playoffs, San Antonio swept the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round, setting up another second-round meeting against the Lakers. Tim Duncan was dominant in that series, but the Spurs still struggled to slow down Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal.

LA's defense also did an excellent job, holding the Spurs to just 39% shooting the entire series. They ultimately won in six games.

#11: 2017 Conference Finals loss vs GSW

The Spurs ended the 2016-2017 season with the second seed in the Western Conference and already proved they could go toe-to-toe against a stacked Warriors team, winning the season series 2-1.

They rolled through the playoffs on the way to their first Conference Finals appearance in three years. They got off to a hot start in Game 1 against Golden State, but Kawhi Leonard's heartbreaking third-quarter injury ended their hopes of sending The Dubs home. San Antonio went on to lose the series in four games.

#10: 2008 Conference Finals loss vs. Lakers

The Spurs entered the 2008 postseason with their eyes set on winning a second straight title. They took out the Suns in a five-game first-round series and beat the Hornets in seven games during the second round.

But they couldn't take care of the Lakers in the West Finals, losing in five games. While the series was short, it was still competitive, as the Spurs lost by double figures just once.

#9: 2001 Conference Finals loss vs Lakers

Before meeting LA in the 2001 West Finals, the Spurs were dominant through most of the postseason, winning all but two games. But the Lakers were even hotter, losing only one game throughout their entire playoff run, and it didn't come until the NBA Finals.

Kobe and Shaq were unstoppable in this series, averaging a combined 60.3 points per game. Tim Duncan was great as well, posting 23 points, 12.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 4.3 blocks, but it wasn't enough to avoid an eventual sweep.

#8: 2012 Conference Finals Loss vs OKC

During the early 2010s, the Spurs were hungry for a return to the NBA Finals. They did a good job in the first two rounds of the 2012 playoffs, sweeping the Jazz and Clippers. But they couldn't get the upper hand on the young, hungry OKC Thunder squad, who won the West Finals in six games.

#7: 2026 NBA Finals loss vs Knicks

After winning 34 games during the 2024-25 season, the Spurs pulled off one of the most unprecedented NBA Finals runs in recent memory. Their youth didn't stop them from taking out an experienced Timberwolves squad and the defending champion OKC Thunder.

Their clutch problems were exposed in the Finals against the Knicks, but again, the sheer unexpectedness of this deep run made it so special.

#6: 2013 NBA Finals Loss vs Heat

In 2013, San Antonio made their first NBA Finals appearance since 2007. They finally swept the Lakers in the first round and did the same against the defensive-minded Grizzlies in the Western Conference Finals.

They pushed the Miami Heat to the limit in one of the greatest championship series of the century but just couldn't come out on top in a classic Game 7 showdown.

#5: 2003 Championship Run

The Spurs' path to the 2003 championship wasn't easy, as each of their opponents pushed them to six games. But every title run comes with its own set of challenges, and San Antonio did an amazing job responding.

They knocked out the East's second-seeded Nets in the Finals behind one of Tim Duncan's best postseason performances. He averaged a staggering 24.2 points, 17 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 5.3 blocks in that series.

#4: 2005 Championship Run

The Spurs were solid throughout their 2005 playoff run, losing just four games in the first three rounds. But the reigning champion Detroit Pistons pushed them to the limit in the NBA Finals, making it a seven-game affair.

San Antonio still came out victorious, and this went down as one of the hardest-fought, yet satisfying, titles in franchise history.

#3: 2007 Championship Run

The Spurs' dominance through the 2000s peaked with their '07 championship run. They lost only four games on their way to an NBA Finals bout against the LeBron James-led Cavaliers and swept that series behind a dominant showing from Tony Parker.

#2: 2014 Championship Run

While this wasn't the most dominant title run of the Spurs' dynasty, it was definitely the most emotionally captivating. Not only did San Antonio rally to avenge its 2013 Finals loss against the Heat, but it was also the last championship of the Tim Duncan era.

#1: 1999 Championship Run

The Spurs lost only two games during this championship run as a young, 23-year-old Tim Duncan led the way. Not only was this the best title win in Spurs history, but it was one of the most dominant overall postseason performances the game has ever seen. This legendary team is tied for fourth all-time in fewest losses in a single playoff run.

With an even stronger roster, San Antonio is prepared to make another playoff appearance in 2027. But where they end up on this ranking list depends on how well they learn from last season's mistakes.

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