Tony Parker exploded for an NBA season-high 55 points to fire the San Antonio Spurs to a 129-125 double overtime victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, their first win of the campaign.
The All-Star point guard recorded nine of his career-high total in the second overtime session, which the Spurs took 13-9 to edge Minnesota and avoid falling to 0-4.
Parker finished 22-for-36 from the field and collected 10 assists and seven rebounds.
"I just wanted to win," Parker told reporters. "I couldn't believe we were 0-3. Dallas came in (on Wednesday) and shot the ball very well, so I said we have to do the same thing and come into Minnesota and play well and be aggressive."
Tim Duncan had 30 points and 16 rebounds and new acquisition Roger Mason added 26 for San Antonio, which was without All-Star guard Manu Ginoboli due to an ankle injury.
Power forward Al Jefferson recorded 30 points and 14 rebounds, including a short go-ahead bucket with two seconds remaining in overtime, before Parker followed with a 20-footer to tie the game and force an extra session.
"I would say that (Parker) was aggressive," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "He was magnificent. He pulled us through, that's for sure."
The Spurs led 102-97 with 2:16 left in regulation but Minnesota battled back to 106-106, sending the game into overtime.
Minnesota guard Mike Miller collected 25 points and five 3-pointers as the T-Wolves fell to 1-3.
