The NBA’s oldest coach. The NBA’s newest superstar.
In an instant, the fortunes of the San Antonio Spurs changed in a big way. Victor Wembanyama is on his way to the NBA, and the coaching wins leader in Gregg Popovich will be waiting for him.
NBA-worst Rockets beat Spurs to end 11-game losing streak
March 5, 2023 GMTSAN ANTONIO (AP) — Tari Eason matched his season high with 20 points and the Houston Rockets ended an 11-game losing streak, beating the San Antonio Spurs 122-110 on Saturday night.
Sochan, Vassell lead Spurs past Pacers in Popovich’s absence
March 3, 2023 GMTSAN ANTONIO (AP) — The San Antonio Spurs have lived by a next-man up mantra all season and it extended to their bench Thursday night.
With San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich out due to an illness, Jeremy Sochan had 22 points and 13 rebounds for his first career double-double and the Spurs defeated the Indiana Pacers 110-99.
Gasol, Nowitzki, Parker, Popovich among Hoop Hall finalists
February 17, 2023 GMTSALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Pau Gasol, Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker and Gregg Popovich are all one step closer to basketball immortality.
The three international greats — Gasol, Nowitzki and Parker — were among the list of Class of 2023 finalists unveiled Friday by the Basketball Hall of Fame, putting them on the doorstep of enshrinement this summer.
Young, Hunter pace Hawks past reeling Spurs 125-106
February 12, 2023 GMTATLANTA (AP) — Trae Young had 24 points and a season-high 17 assists, De’Andre Hunter added 24 points and the Atlanta Hawks beat the reeling San Antonio Spurs 125-106 on Saturday night.
The Spurs (14-43), losers of a season-high 12 straight, are a half-game ahead of last-place Houston (13-43) in the Western Conference.
Grizzlies withstand late rally to defeat Spurs 121-113
January 10, 2023 GMTMEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Tyus Jones, filling in for Ja Morant, had 24 points, Jaren Jackson Jr. added 16 and the Memphis Grizzlies withstood a second-half San Antonio rally to beat the Spurs 121-113 on Monday night.
Brunson scores career-best 38, Knicks edge Spurs 117-114
January 5, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Asked before the game about his team's victory over the Knicks last week, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was quick to note that Jalen Brunson didn't play.
Nets roll to 12 in a row as Vaughn builds winner in Brooklyn
January 3, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Jacque Vaughn was viewed as such a temporary solution in Brooklyn that his successor was already assumed before he coached one game.
That was two months ago. The Nets had parted ways with Steve Nash and were expected to hire suspended Boston coach Ime Udoka.
Popovich, Parker, Nowitzki, Wade among Hall of Fame nominees
December 21, 2022 GMTGregg Popovich has been at the Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony many times over the years, always there to show support for someone on the stage.
Next year, he may be there in a different capacity.
On Popovich’s coaching anniversary, Spurs top Heat 115-111
December 11, 2022 GMTMIAMI (AP) — Gregg Popovich got the perfect anniversary gift from his San Antonio Spurs.
Keldon Johnson scored 21 points, Romeo Langford added 19 and the San Antonio Spurs celebrated the 26th anniversary of Popovich’s first game as coach by beating the Miami Heat 115-111 on Saturday.
Johnson’s hot start helps Spurs beat Rockets, end skid at 11
December 9, 2022 GMTSAN ANTONIO (AP) — Keldon Johnson scored 32 points and the San Antonio Spurs snapped an 11-game losing streak by beating the Houston Rockets 118-109 on Thursday night.
Johnson sparked the turnaround by making his first nine shots and his first three 3-pointers in helping San Antonio win for the first time since Nov.
Williamson powers Pelicans past Popovich-less Spurs, 117-99
December 3, 2022 GMTSAN ANTONIO (AP) — Zion Williamson scored 30 points and matched a career high with 15 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans rolled to a 117-99 victory Friday night over the San Antonio Spurs, who were without coach Gregg Popovich.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich sits out with illness vs Lakers
November 21, 2022 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich sat out San Antonio's game against the Los Angeles Lakers after falling ill shortly before tipoff Sunday night.
The 73-year-old Popovich apparently felt fine during his pregame media availability and preparations, but the winningest coach in NBA history then fell ill shortly before tipoff in Los Angeles on Sunday night.
Anthony Davis leads Lakers past Spurs for 3rd straight win
November 21, 2022 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — Anthony Davis had 30 points and 18 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the San Antonio Spurs 123-92 Sunday night to win three straight games for the first time since the first week of January.
Johnson leads Spurs past injury-riddled Bucks 111-93
November 12, 2022 GMTSAN ANTONIO (AP) — Keldon Johnson scored 29 points, and the San Antonio Spurs stopped a five-game skid by topping the banged-up Milwaukee Bucks 111-93 on Friday night.
Devin Vassell had 22 points in San Antonio’s first win since Oct.
Morant, Bane help Grizzlies beat Spurs in overtime, 124-122
November 10, 2022 GMTSAN ANTONIO (AP) — Ja Morant and Desmond Bane had 32 points each and the Memphis Grizzlies beat San Antonio 124-122 in overtime Wednesday night, handing the Spurs their fifth straight loss.
“Early in the season for us to have a couple games where we go down the stretch or go into overtime and being able to still come out with a win is big time for us,” Morant said.
Analysis: Jazz, Spurs off to surprising fast starts in West
November 1, 2022 GMTDENVER (AP) — A year ago, Mike Conley Jr. was on a team mentioned as a championship contender. This year, the Utah Jazz aren't in that conversation.
Johnson, McDermott lead Spurs to second victory over Wolves
October 31, 2022 GMTSAN ANTONIO (AP) — Keldon Johnson scored 25 points, Doug McDermott added 23 and the San Antonio Spurs beat Minnesota 107-98 on Sunday night, their second victory over the Timberwolves during a tumultuous week.
Spurs waive Josh Primo, No. 12 pick in 2021 NBA draft
October 29, 2022 GMTSAN ANTONIO (AP) — The San Antonio Spurs waived Josh Primo on Friday, and the second-year guard told ESPN he has been dealing with trauma he experienced previously.
The 6-foot-6 Primo was selected by San Antonio with the No.
Vassell and Spurs top Timberwolves 115-106
October 25, 2022 GMTMINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Devin Vassell scored 23 points and Jakob Poeltl added 14 points and 14 rebounds to help the San Antonio Spurs beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 115-106 on Monday night.
The Spurs jumped out to a 20-point lead in the second quarter and expanded the lead to 35 points early in the fourth quarter before the Timberwolves rallied.
Spurs hand 76ers third straight loss to open season, 114-105
October 23, 2022 GMTPHILADELPHIA (AP) — Doug McDermott hit four 3-pointers and scored all 14 of his points in the second half and the San Antonio Spurs beat Philadelphia 114-105 on Sunday night to send the 76ers to their third straight loss to open the season.
Spurs hold off final-minute flurry to beat Pacers 137-134
October 22, 2022 GMTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — San Antonio struggled when Indiana turned up the pressure late.
Then the Spurs made one defensive stop to avoid a second straight embarrassing result.
After nearly blowing a double-digit lead in the closing minutes, Josh Richardson forced rookie Bennedict Mathurin into an airball as the buzzer sounded to preserve a 137-134 victory at Indiana on Friday night.
Rozier scores 24 as Hornets rout youthful Spurs, 129-102
October 20, 2022 GMTSAN ANTONIO (AP) — With All-Star guard LaMelo Ball out with a sprained left ankle, Terry Rozier stepped up with 24 points and six others scored in double figures as the Charlotte Hornets routed the San Antonio Spurs 129-102 on Wednesday night.
Young Spurs eagerly await ‘other pieces’ in transition year
October 11, 2022 GMTSAN ANTONIO (AP) — San Antonio is going to have a difficult time adding to the NBA-record career victories held by Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.
Take it from him.
“To be a championship program, you have to have a couple of superstars on your team.
NBA camps open; some go abroad, Spurs plan a trip to Uvalde
September 27, 2022 GMTGregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs know they cannot erase the pain that the residents of Uvalde, Texas have felt since May 24.
They can, however, continue reminding the city of 16,000 people that they’re not forgotten.
Popovich, Spurs face unknown with another youthful roster
September 26, 2022 GMTSAN ANTONIO (AP) — Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker may be walking through that door at the San Antonio Spurs' practice facility, but they are only coming to visit.
In their place on the court is a bunch of fresh-faced youngsters who may want to wear a name tag to curry favor with 73-year-old coach Gregg Popovich.
AP source: Celtics’ Hardy accepts offer to become Jazz coach
June 28, 2022 GMTBoston Celtics assistant Will Hardy has accepted an offer to become the coach of the Utah Jazz, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said Tuesday.
Hardy and the Jazz were in the process of finalizing contract language, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither side announced the deal publicly.
The Finals matchup: Celtics vs. Warriors for NBA title
May 30, 2022 GMTMIAMI (AP) — Somewhere, Gregg Popovich must be pleased.
Ime Udoka and Steve Kerr played for Popovich with of the San Antonio Spurs, both served as assistant coaches under him, and neither makes any effort to hide the affinity they have for the NBA’s career victory leader.
Celtics-Bucks Eastern Conference semifinal preview capsule
April 30, 2022 GMTPreview capsule for the Boston-Milwaukee Eastern Conference semifinal series that starts Sunday:
No. 2 BOSTON CELTICS (51-31, 4-0) vs. No. 3 MILWAUKEE BUCKS (51-31, 4-1)
Spurs beat Nuggets 116-97, earn spot in play-in tournament
April 6, 2022 GMTDENVER (AP) — Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson each scored 20 points to help the San Antonio Spurs secure a spot in the play-in tournament Tuesday night following a 116-97 victory over the Denver Nuggets.
Murray scores career-high 33, Spurs outlast Rockets 123-120
March 29, 2022 GMTHOUSTON (AP) — Dejounte Murray scored a career-high 33 points and the San Antonio Spurs held on for a 123-120 win over the Houston Rockets Monday night to inch closer to the final play-in spot in the Western Conference.
Murray’s triple-double lifts Spurs over Pelicans 107-103
March 27, 2022 GMTNEW ORLEANS (AP) — Dejounte Murray could feel his annoyance building as San Antonio coaches repeatedly went back over video of the Spurs' blowout loss to New Orleans in the previous meeting between the two Western Conference play-in hopefuls.
Towns scores NBA-best 60 points as T-Wolves beat Spurs
March 15, 2022 GMTSAN ANTONIO (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns had a team-record 60 points — the most scored in the NBA this season — and the Minnesota Timberwolves outlasted the San Antonio Spurs 149-139 on Monday night.
Towns shot 19 for 31 and grabbed 17 rebounds in surpassing his previous best of 56 points against Atlanta on March 28, 2018.
Haliburton helps Pacers snap skid with win over Spurs
March 13, 2022 GMTSAN ANTONIO (AP) — Tyrese Haliburton had 19 points and 10 assists and the Indiana Pacers snapped a three-game skid, beating the San Antonio Spurs 119-108 on Saturday night.
San Antonio sat out Dejounte Murray, Keldon Johnson and Jakob Poeltl a night after coach Gregg Popovich became the winningest coach in NBA history.
Spurs’ Gregg Popovich becomes NBA regular-season wins leader
March 12, 2022 GMTSAN ANTONIO (AP) — Gregg Popovich's name is on top of the NBA regular-season victory list. He thinks of it more as a group accomplishment.
“All of us share in this record," Popovich said Friday night after getting his record-breaking 1,336th victory when the San Antonio Spurs rallied to beat the Utah Jazz 104-102.
Friday’s Sports In Brief
March 12, 2022 GMTNBA
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Gregg Popovich became the winningest coach in NBA regular-season history, getting his 1,336th victory when the San Antonio Spurs rallied to beat the Utah Jazz 104-102.
Popovich broke a tie with Don Nelson, the friend and mentor he served as an assistant under while with Golden State for two seasons.
Popovich breaks Nelson’s NBA victory record with No. 1,336
March 12, 2022 GMTSAN ANTONIO (AP) — Gregg Popovich is the winningest coach in NBA regular-season history, getting his 1,336th victory when the San Antonio Spurs rallied to beat the Utah Jazz 104-102 on Friday night.
VanVleet, Raptors delay Popovich’s record in win over Spurs
March 10, 2022 GMTSAN ANTONIO (AP) — Fred VanVleet had 26 points and the Toronto Raptors beat the San Antonio Spurs 119-104 on Wednesday night, delaying Gregg Popovich’s coronation as the winningest coach in NBA history.
Monday’s Sports in Brief
March 8, 2022 GMTPRO FOOTBALL
ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been suspended for the 2022 season for betting on NFL games in 2021.
The suspension announced by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is for activity that took place while Ridley was away from the team addressing mental health concerns.
Pop’s way: From a sabbatical to the NBA coaching summit
March 8, 2022 GMTRed Auerbach. Lenny Wilkens. Don Nelson. Going back to the end of the NBA’s inaugural season 75 years ago, before it was even called the NBA, they’re the only coaches to hold the distinction of having more wins than anyone else.
Popovich matches Nelson with 1,335th career victory
March 8, 2022 GMTSAN ANTONIO (AP) — Gregg Popovich tied Don Nelson’s NBA record with his 1,335th career victory as a coach in the San Antonio Spurs’ 117-110 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night.
Popovich, in his 26th season, will try to pass Nelson when San Antonio hosts the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night.
Spurs’ Popovich ties Nelson for NBA career wins record
March 8, 2022 GMTSAN ANTONIO (AP) — Gregg Popovich tied Don Nelson’s NBA record with his 1,335th career victory as a coach in the San Antonio Spurs’ 117-110 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night.
Popovich chose to ignore the achievement, as he has many others during his illustrious 26-year tenure leading San Antonio.
Lakers’ James will sit out against Spurs with sore left knee
March 8, 2022 GMTSAN ANTONIO (AP) — Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James will not play Monday against the San Antonio Spurs after experiencing soreness in his left knee following a 56-point effort against the Golden State Warriors.
Hornets top Spurs, leaving Popovich win short of NBA record
March 6, 2022 GMTCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Terry Rozier scored 31 points and the Charlotte Hornets beat San Antonio 123-117 on Saturday night, leaving Spurs coach Gregg Popovich a victory short of tying the NBA record.
Kings beat Spurs, 115-112, keep Popovich shy of NBA mark
March 4, 2022 GMTSAN ANTONIO (AP) — Harrison Barnes had 27 points and the Sacramento Kings held off San Antonio 115-112 on Thursday night, keeping Spurs coach Gregg Popovich a victory shy of tying Don Nelson’s NBA record.
Adebayo scores 36 points, Heat top Popovich, Spurs 133-129
February 27, 2022 GMTMIAMI (AP) — Gregg Popovich is going to have to wait at least a couple more days before tying the NBA record for regular-season victories.
The starting center from his Olympic gold-medal-winning team at the Tokyo Games saw to that.
Murray, Spurs outlast Wizards 157-153 in double overtime
February 26, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Coming off his first All-Star appearance, Dejounte Murray had to work extra hard in the highest-scoring game in the NBA this season.
Murray had 31 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists and the San Antonio Spurs outlasted the Washington Wizards 157-153 in double overtime Friday night.
Murray, Poeltl power Spurs to easy 134-104 win over Rockets
January 26, 2022 GMTHOUSTON (AP) — Dejounte Murray and Jakob Poeltl combined for 37 points in three quarters to help the San Antonio Spurs coast to a 134-104 victory over the Houston Rockets Tuesday night.
Murray had 19 points and 10 assists and Poeltl had 18 points with nine rebounds by the end of the third quarter, and neither played after that with the Spurs up by 31.
Jackson completes Clippers’ rally past 76ers for 102-101 win
January 22, 2022 GMTPHILADELPHIA (AP) — The 76ers lost the lead — and then their cool.
Reggie Jackson scored 19 points, including two free throws with 18.2 seconds remaining, and the Los Angeles Clippers rallied from a 24-point second-half deficit to beat Joel Embiid and Philadelphia 102-101 on Friday night.
Becky Hammon: ‘Right time’ to leave NBA, return to WNBA
January 19, 2022 GMTBecky Hammon said she has always followed her heart and not worried about what other people think of her career decisions.
There were concerns when she chose to play at Colorado State instead of a bigger school.
Spurred on: Popovich craves teaching time with a young team
January 11, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Gregg Popovich had ample time for a nice New York dinner, as long as a gut-wrenching loss didn't ruin his appetite.
Coronavirus-caused changes to the NBA schedule moved up San Antonio’s game in Brooklyn on Sunday from a night to a noon tip.
Murray, Spurs hold off Celtics 99-97 in Popovich’s 2,000th
January 6, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Gregg Popovich became the first to coach 2,000 NBA games with the same team, and Dejounte Murray scored 22 points to lead the San Antonio Spurs past the Boston Celtics 99-97 on Wednesday night.
Clarkson, Gobert lead Jazz by Spurs 110-104 without Mitchell
December 28, 2021 GMTSAN ANTONIO (AP) — Jordan Clarkson provided Utah with a needed emotional lift, which he was able to maintain despite a fan trying to shake him.
Clarkson scored 23 points, Rudy Gobert had 16 points and 13 rebounds, and the Jazz beat the San Antonio Spurs 110-104 on Monday night for their fourth straight victory.
Spurs set season high, blitz short-handed Pistons, 144-109
December 27, 2021 GMTSAN ANTONIO (AP) — Keldon Johnson scored 27 points and the San Antonio Spurs had their highest-scoring game of the season, beating short-handed Detroit 144-109 on Sunday to extend the Pistons’ road skid to 10.
USA Basketball announces Kerr as next Olympic men’s coach
December 20, 2021 GMTSteve Kerr saw everything that Gregg Popovich went through as coach of the U.S. men’s national team, saw exactly how difficult it was last summer for the Americans to emerge from the Tokyo Olympics with another gold medal.
Poeltl’s double-double helps Spurs defeat Pelicans, 112-97
December 13, 2021 GMTSAN ANTONIO (AP) — Jakob Poeltl had 24 points and 12 rebounds, Derrick White added 24 points, and the San Antonio Spurs beat the New Orleans Pelicans 112-97 on Sunday night.
San Antonio outscored New Orleans 29-15 in the final quarter while shooting 60 percent from the field in the fourth.
Jokic, Nuggets avenge loss to Spurs with 127-112 victory
December 12, 2021 GMTSAN ANTONIO (AP) — The Denver Nuggets responded to their worst loss of the season just as coach Michael Malone had hoped.
Nikola Jokic had 35 points, 17 rebounds and eight assists and the Nuggets avenged an earlier loss to San Antonio, beating the Spurs 127-112 on Saturday night.
Analysis: Steph Curry must-see TV anytime cameras are near
December 8, 2021 GMTThe shot has been replayed millions of times already on video and social platforms. And considering it was from the stands before a game, it obviously didn’t even count.
Forbes leads Spurs in 114-83 win over shorthanded Blazers
December 3, 2021 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Bryn Forbes had 18 points off the bench and the San Antonio Spurs extended their winning streak to a season-high three games with a 114-83 victory over the shorthanded Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night.