Ginobili returns, drops 22 in 15 minutes vs. Kings
Rest assured, Manu Ginobili still has some serious onions.
After missing 12 games following testicular surgery, the ageless San Antonio Spurs shooting guard returned Saturday night and balled out against the Sacramento Kings, helping his squad to a 104-94 win.
True to his word, Ginobili showed no hesitation in his return from the cringe-worthy injury, which he suffered in early February when Ryan Anderson accidentally kneed him in the groin. Equipped with a protective cup Saturday, Ginobili was in attack mode from the moment he came off the bench, carving up the Kings' defense with change-of-pace dribbles, slithering drives to the rim, and dexterous finishes in traffic.
Far from looking rusty, the 38-year-old Argentine looked as spry and refreshed as he has all year, dropping a season-high 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting in just 15 minutes of action.
That's a rare feat.
Manu Ginobili scored 22 points in 15 minutes tonight.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 6, 2016
3rd-most points by anybody to play 15 or fewer minutes in the last 30 seasons.
It more than made up for the absences of Tim Duncan, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Danny Green. The Spurs outscored the Kings by 10 points in Ginobili's 15 minutes, which was the difference in the game.
Meanwhile, San Antonio improved to 53-9 on the season, and an astonishing 30-0 at home.