Spurs clinch 18th straight playoff appearance with win over Magic
The defending champion San Antonio Spurs are headed back to the playoffs.
San Antonio punched its ticket for the team's 18th consecutive playoff berth with a 103-91 victory Wednesday over the Orlando Magic.
The streak is the fifth longest in NBA history and began during the 1997-98 campaign, future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan's rookie season. Duncan, a five-time champion, has been to the playoffs every season of his career, as is the case for teammates Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.
Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich has led the team for the entire ride and earned three Coach of the Year awards during his San Antonio tenure.
The Spurs, who have overcome a slow start to win 15 of their last 18 games, have been to the Finals two years running, taking down the Miami Heat in five games last season.
San Antonio, which extended its winning streak to five games, joins the Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Clippers as the West teams that have clinched.
The Spurs, sixth in the West, had five players score in double figures Wednesday, led by Aron Baynes' career-high 18 points.