NBA

#NBATogetherLive: Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan's first duel in 1998

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A meeting that would define a generation.

On February 24, 1998, future Hall of Famers Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett met for the first time in the NBA as the San Antonio Spurs edged the Minnesota Timberwolves, 105-99.

Duncan entered the league that season as the #1 overall pick in the NBA draft, while Garnett was in his third season. with the Timberwolves after being selected with the #5 pick in the 1995 NBA draft. 

Watch the game below:

Duncan filled it up with 28 points, 19 rebounds, three assists, and a block, going head-to-head with Garnett, who recorded 25 points, 11 rebounds, one assist, four steals, and a block.

The Spurs legend held a 27-17 overall record against Garnett in the regular season and won six of their eight matchups in the playoffs.


Their first meeting was a foreshadowing of a power forward rivalry that would last nearly two decades, with both Duncan and Garnett elected for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, alongside Kobe Bryant in 2020.

 

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Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor for The Sporting News.