San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich will not be on the sidelines again for Game 4 Sunday following the death of his wife, Erin, to a lengthy illness.
Ettore Messina will again coach the Spurs.
Popovich also missed Game 3. His San Antonio Spurs are down 3-0 to the Golden State Warriors in the first-round matchup. None of that matters compared to the loss of a woman he loved and was married to for four decades.
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) April 19, 2018
Erin Popovich’s passing has cast a pall over the series, especially with Warriors coach Steve Kerr being very close to the Popovichs dating back to his playing days with the Spurs.
Steve Kerr on Erin Popovich ... remembers when he was traded to #Blazers .. how Pop told him he probably couldn’t go home because Erin would be mad at him. Said she was part of the family #Spurs #Warriors #NBA pic.twitter.com/IE3YR2MluV
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) April 19, 2018
The reaction and sadness about Erin’s passing has reached well beyond this series.
"That's such a tragedy. My best wishes go out to Pop and his family." - @KingJames on the passing of Erin Popovich pic.twitter.com/83dc09urac
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 19, 2018
Our thoughts are with the Popovich family in this difficult time.
