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Harrison Barnes' birthday brought some extra magic for the San Antonio Spurs

The former Tar Heel is now heading to the NBA Finals once again, and his birthday serves as a lucky day for the teams he plays for.
ByNick Delahanty|
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Mar 21, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) warms up before the game against the Indiana Pacers at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
Mar 21, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) warms up before the game against the Indiana Pacers at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

Saturday was a big day not only for Harrison Barnes, but for the San Antonio Spurs franchise as well.

Barnes celebrated his 34th birthday, one in which was spent at the arena preparing for Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The former UNC basketball star is no stranger to Game 7s on his birthday, as he faced a similar situation back in 2016.

In fact, having a birthday that falls on the date of a decisive winner-take-all Game 7 in the playoffs has been extremely good luck for the team with the birthday boy on the roster. Prior to Saturday night, NBA players were undefeated in Game 7s played on their birthday, and Barnes and the Spurs extended the streak with their victory over the Thunder.

Barnes made some unique history, becoming the first player in NBA history to win multiple Game 7s on his birthday. Below you can find the rest of the list of players who accomplished the feat:

Harrison Barnes (2026)
Paul George (2026)
Harrison Barnes (2016)
Pablo Prigioni (2015)
Udonis Haslem (2012)
Kevin Garnett (2004)
Scott Hastings (1990)
Walt Hazzard (1966)

Terrence Brown sends a special message to UNC fans they have to deliver on

While his playing time has scattered throughout the postseason, the former Tar Heel remains a key veteran presence for one of the youngest teams in the sport. As someone who has been around the league for quite some time and was an integral part of a Golden State Warriors team that won an NBA title, Barnes understands what it takes to succeed at this level, serving as a key mentor for this Spurs team.

Now, Barnes and the Spurs are just four wins away from securing an NBA title, needing to go through the New York Knicks in order to obtain that coveted title. With Barnes currently being in the later part of his NBA career, it would be nice to see him get another ring to add to his already impressive resume, especially given the impact he's made on the league as a whole both on and off the court.

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