Why Harrison Barnes could be the Spurs’ Game 7 good-luck charm

OKLAHOMA CITY — Game 7 of the Western Conference finals falling on Harrison Barnes’ 34th birthday could be a good omen for the Spurs.

With the pressure-packed showdown with the Thunder just hours away, the Spurs serenaded the 14th-year forward with “Happy Birthday” at shootaround Saturday morning at the Paycom Center.

The song was a reminder that, according to Legion Hoops, NBA players since at least 1966 are undefeated when playing in a Game 7 on their birthdays.

Barnes hopes to add his name to a list that includes Walt Hazzard (1966), Scott Hastings (1990), Kevin Garnett (2004), Udonis Haslem (2012), Pablo Prigioni (2015) and Paul George (2026).

Barnes has already won a Game 7 on his birthday, amassing five points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals in 22 minutes in helping Golden State defeat Oklahoma City in the Western Conference finals on May 30, 2016 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif.

Whether or not Barnes is the Spurs’ good luck charm, his teammates love having him as one of their elder statesmen and appreciate his the words of wisdom he offered them about playing in a Game 7.

“Shout out to HB,” forward Devin Vassell said after shootaround. “It’s been great for us so far and just his wisdom and his knowledge being in so many different games, game sevens, championship games, whatever the case may be. He’s been able to just kind of calm us down and just tell us kind of what to expect.

“It’s unexpected what’s going to happen in this game, but he’s kind of just giving us guidance in what to expect and what to feel during these games.”