Since Becky Hammon took over as head coach and general manager, the Las Vegas Aces have now won back-to-back WNBA championships.
Before accepting the gig with the Aces, though, Hammon was an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs. The former WNBA star worked under Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich from 2014 until 2022.
During his postgame press conference following a San Antonio preseason game on Wednesday, the head coach joked that he considered getting tossed from the exhibition so he could watch Las Vegas play against the New York Liberty to win the title.
Gregg Popovich says he thought about getting ejected so he could watch Becky Hammon win the WNBA title: "It was exactly the same time. But I just thought this has to be my priority. But it was close. It was close." pic.twitter.com/PwaV2ztvzb
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) October 19, 2023
Here is the full quote from Popovich, the winningest coach in NBA history:
“I gotta go celebrate. Becky Hammon and the Aces! It’s like Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. It’s Becky and the Aces. Fantastic. I thought about getting booted tonight because it was exactly the same time. But I just thought this has to be my priority. But it was close. It was close. Congrats, Becky! Yeah, baby. Good stuff.”
He added that he needed to answer any questions quickly so he could go get some wine.
Popovich, who has won five titles of his own in the NBA, was clearly thrilled to see Hammon add another championship ring to her collection.
Last season, the first Hammon spent with the Aces, Popovich visited the Las Vegas locker room during the WNBA Finals. He issued a statement when she was named WNBA Coach of the Year as well.
