Gregg Popovich is no longer the Spurs’ head coach, but his voice still carries inside the organization.
That became clear before San Antonio’s Game 3 win over the Knicks, when the legendary former coach delivered a surprise message to the team before its trip to New York, according to The Athletic.
The Spurs trailed 2-0 in the NBA Finals after losing the first two games at home and faced the possibility of their season ending in a sweep at Madison Square Garden.
Popovich, who now serves as San Antonio’s basketball president after his coaching career was cut short by a stroke in November 2024, did not make the trip to New York with the team.
But before the Spurs’ charter left Texas, he boarded the plane and spoke to the group.
The moment came during an unexpected delay on the runway, caused by a flat tire on another plane ahead of San Antonio’s flight.
Popovich, 77, used the extra time to remind the Spurs that the series was still within reach.
De’Aaron Fox told The Athletic that Popovich’s message was that San Antonio had dug itself into a hole, but could still climb out of it.
Fox added that Popovich urged the team to be “confident” and reminded them “there’s a reason why we got here.”
The speech landed at the right time.
San Antonio responded by beating the Knicks 115-111 in Game 3 at the Garden, cutting the series deficit to 2-1.
Fox helped seal the victory, hitting a midrange jumper over OG Anunoby with 12.2 seconds left to put the Spurs ahead by five points.
Popovich spoke to the team for close to 10 minutes before spending additional time talking individually with players and coaches, per The Athletic.
He reportedly was also seated next to Victor Wembanyama during part of the visit before leaving the plane.
Fox said Popovich’s words still matter because he does not address the full group without purpose.
“It’s always good when he comes around,” Fox told The Athletic, adding that Popovich “doesn’t just address the group just to talk.”
Popovich, who coached the franchise to five championships between 1999-2014, was at least in attendance for Game 1 of these finals.
That presence remains significant for a young Spurs team trying to win a title sooner than expected.
San Antonio missed the playoffs last season, but it finished 62-20 this season behind Wembanyama, Fox and a young roster that has come together quickly under head coach Mitch Johnson.
Johnson replaced Popovich on an interim basis before getting the job full time.
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