The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the San Antonio Spurs 113-103 in a play-in tournament game that lacked any significant on-court drama. But while the game wasn’t dramatic, it was historic. It could have been the final game in the storied coaching career of Antonio coach, Gregg Popovich.
The loss ended San Antonio’s season. When Popovich was asked about his future following the game, he declined to answer.
Gregg Popovich, as usual, raves about how much he’s enjoyed this season, and expresses optimism about where group is headed. As to whether he’ll come back?
“That question is inappropriate,” he said.
— Mike Finger (@mikefinger) April 14, 2022
Despite Popovich feeling the question is inappropriate, fans were left wondering. The 2021-22 campaign was Popovich’s 26th manning the Spurs bench. Given that, and that Popovich is 73, many NBA fans on Twitter were questioning if Wednesday’s game might have marked the end of an era.
That would be crazy if Coach K and Gregg Popovich's coaching careers ended in New Orleans, 11 days apart
— Seth Lewis (@SethLewisInc) April 14, 2022
https://twitter.com/WilliamBrownish/status/1514457592701100037
I hope this wasn’t Gregg Popovich’s last game.
— Isabel Gonzalez (@cisabelg) April 14, 2022
Popovich has to Irish goodbye his retirement. No farewell tour, speeches or press releases. Just keep collecting checks til they realize he’s gone.
— myles brown (@mdotbrown) April 14, 2022
https://twitter.com/onlyxshea/status/1514456241552207881
And please come back Popovich I’m not mentally ready for someone else 😭😭😭
— Spurs Talk. (@SpursTalk1) April 14, 2022
Thank you coach pop. The best coach of all time. 🐐❤️😢 @spurs
— Pita Rokoratu 🇨🇦🇫🇯🇺🇦 (@pitarokoratu) April 14, 2022
If this was it for Popovich, he’s retiring with a resume that few can (or will ever be able to) rival.
This season, Popovich won his 1,336th career game. That passed his former mentor, Don Nelson, for the most in NBA history. He finished the season with a career record of 1,344-701. Popovich is also a three-time coach of the year, in his full seasons coaching San Antonio, the Spurs completely missed the postseason only once — though they were eliminated in the play-in tournament in each of the last two seasons.
Popovich’s San Antonio teams also reached the NBA Finals six times, winning five of them. Only Phil Jackson (11) and Red Auerbach (9) have more championships, though Pat Riley and John Kundla both have five championships, as well.
So, if Wednesday was the end of Popovich’s career, it was not only the end of an era, but the end of a tremendous era.
