Gregg Popovich is now officially the winningest head coach in NBA history, and his team celebrated him in fitting fashion.
The San Antonio Spurs head coach broke Don Nelson’s all-time record with his 1,336th career win. The Spurs’ hard-fought 104-102 win over the Utah Jazz on Friday was what clinched the record for their longtime coach.
As the final buzzer sounded, Spurs players mobbed around Popovich to celebrate with him. Check out the awesome moment.
Gregg Popovich has passed Don Nelson as the winningest coach in the history of the NBA.
Congrats, coach Pop.#NBA75 pic.twitter.com/o0Qa1RvJpV
— NBA (@NBA) March 12, 2022
NBA commissioner Adam Silver released a statement on Popovich becoming the league’s all-time winningest coach.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver's statement regarding San Antonio Spurs' Gregg Popovich pic.twitter.com/4eZuVOHSlw
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) March 12, 2022
The 73-year-old Popovich is by far the longest-tenured head coach in the NBA, having led the Spurs since 1996. He holds a career record of 1,336-694 (.658). Popovich has also guided the Spurs to five NBA championships and has won three Coach of the Year Awards.
San Antonio has been less successful this year at 26-41, but they still have a shot at making the Western Conference play-in tournament. While Popovich doesn’t often celebrate, it does happen from time to time, and Friday’s record-breaking moment was certainly worthy of one.
