Popovich ties Nelson for most career coaching wins in NBA history
Gregg Popovich tied Hall of Famer Don Nelson for first on the NBA's career coaching wins leaderboard Monday with the San Antonio Spurs' 117-110 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
| Rank | Name | Wins | W% |
|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | Don Nelson | 1335 | .557 |
| T1 | Gregg Popovich | 1335 | .658 |
| 3 | Lenny Wilkens | 1332 | .536 |
| 4 | Jerry Sloan | 1221 | .603 |
| 5 | Pat Riley | 1210 | .636 |
In keeping with his career-long aversion to publicly drawing attention to his own achievements, Popovich didn't take any postgame questions about the record-tying victory, according to The Associated Press. His players generally followed the five-time champion and three-time Coach of the Year's example by also downplaying the milestone.
"You guys know Pop," Spurs center Jakob Poeltl told reporters. "I don't think he really cares about stuff like that. It didn't even really get mentioned. I doubt it will get mentioned when we get the next win. It's just how he is."
Only Josh Richardson - who was acquired at the trade deadline - dared betray the Spurs' institutional stoicism.
"It's hard to put into words how much of an impact he's had on the Spurs organization, USA Basketball, and basketball in general," Richardson said.
San Antonio took advantage of the undermanned Lakers, who were missing LeBron James (knee soreness) and Anthony Davis (mid-foot sprain). All five Spurs starters finished in double figures, led by a game-high 26 points from All-Star Dejounte Murray and 18 apiece from Richardson and Poeltl.
Third-year guard Talen Horton-Tucker led Los Angeles with 18 points. Russell Westbrook added 17 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and five turnovers in 35 minutes.
The 73-year-old Popovich will have an opportunity to own the head coaching wins record outright when the Toronto Raptors visit San Antonio on Wednesday night.