NBA Champion’s Ironman Streak Abruptly Ends Due to Freak Injury
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San Antonio Spurs veteran forward Harrison Barnes played in all 82 NBA games over the past three seasons and was on an impressive Ironman streak until Tuesday.
Barnes missed the Spurs’ game against the Philadelphia 76ers after waking up from a pregame nap with pain in his left ankle. Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson made the decision to keep him out of the game. Barnes’ streak came to an end with 364 straight games.
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San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) warms up before the game against the Utah Jazz at Frost Bank Center on January 19, 2026. (Daniel Dunn/Image Images)
Johnson said the former NBA champion was added to the injury report when Barnes reported soreness upon waking up from a nap. Barnes received treatment from medical staff before the game.
Barnes’ streak was not the highest active streak in the league. Mikal Bridges of the New York Knicks holds the record with 616 consecutive games. Barnes was also behind Bridges for most games played since 2021 with 382.
San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) drives to the basket against Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Austin, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Barnes has played 60 games this season. He averages 10.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
Fortunately, for the Spurs, San Antonio was able to get a win without Barnes.
Dylan Harper scored 22 points and Victor Wembanyama scored 10 points in a 131-91 victory over the 76ers.
OG Anunoby of the New York Knicks, right, drives to the basket past Harrison Barnes of the San Antonio Spurs during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Sunday, March 1, 2026 in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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San Antonio has the second-best record in the Western Conference at 44-17. The team is just three games behind the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder for first place in the conference.
The News contributed to this report.
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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor at News Digital.