Gregg Popovich becomes first person to coach 2,000 NBA games with the same team

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 23: Head Coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 23, 2021 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)

By Antigoni Zachari / info@eurohoops.net

San Antonio Spurs’ 99-97 victory over Boston Celtics on Wednesday was a historic moment for legendary coach Gregg Popovich, who became the only person in NBA history to reach 2,000 games with the same team.

Popovich, 72, has won a total of 1,325 games with the Spurs, for a total of 66,5% winning percentage, a rare accolade to be added to his already unique career.

The Spurs playcaller also surpassed George Karl, to now rank sixth overall in most games coached in NBA history, and soon he is expected to also climb up above Larry Brown (2,002 games) soon. At the end of the 2021-22 season, he could rank as high as in the fourth place.

Popovich has led the Spurs to five NBA championships (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014) and has been named Coach Of The Year three times during his nearly 26-year run with the franchise (2003, 2012, 2014).

Most games coached in NBA history (per Jordan Howenstine)

Coach Number of games
Lenny Wilkens 2,487
Don Nelson 2,398
Bill Fitch 2,050
Jerry Sloan 2,024
Larry Brown 2,002
Gregg Popovich 2,000
George Karl 1,999
Dick Motta 1,952
Pay Riley 1,904
Rick Adelman 1,791

 

Photo: Getty Images

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