San Antonio Spurs head coach, Gregg Popovich, had a clear favorite in the WNBA finals. He was so invested in cheering on former Spurs assistant and current Las Vegas Aces head coach, Becky Hammon, that he contemplated taking extreme measures.
Speaking after the Spurs’ preseason game against the Houston Rockets, Popovich revealed that he had considered getting himself ejected from the game so he could watch Hammon and the Aces compete for the championship against the New York Liberty.
“I actually thought about getting booted tonight because the games were happening simultaneously,” Popovich shared. “But I realized that this has to be my priority. It was a close call though.”
Gregg Popovich says he thought about getting ejected so he could watch Becky Hammon win the WNBA title: “It was exactly the same time. But I just thought this has to be my priority. But it was close. It was close.” pic.twitter.com/PwaV2ztvzb
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) October 19, 2023
The Las Vegas Aces secured the best-of-five series with a thrilling 70-69 victory, overcoming a 12-point deficit to secure their second consecutive WNBA title under the leadership of Hammon, who had previously served as a Spurs assistant from 2014 to 2022.
Despite staying for the entirety of his team’s game, Popovich had little time for media questions.
“Make it quick, I’m short on time,” he said as he took his seat. “I have a celebration to attend.”
This article was originally published on USA TODAY: Spurs’ Gregg Popovich mulled getting ejected to watch WNBA finals
Rachel Adams is your WNBA insider, delivering comprehensive coverage of women’s basketball. With a commitment to highlighting the talent and achievements of WNBA players, she provides game analysis, player profiles, and inspiring stories from the league.
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