By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The profound, deeply felt relationship between the San Antonio Spurs‘ young roster and Gregg Popovich was laid bare following the team’s Game 7 Western Conference Finals victory on Saturday.
“I don’t know what it means for him,” Victor Wembanyama admitted during his postgame press conference, after lifting his side to the best-of-seven championship series of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google. “That’s the guy that has more experience as a coach than almost anybody, and has been through so many things in his career, and so many things right now as El Jefe. He goes through some things we can’t even imagine. So, I need to call him. I need to see him. I need to talk to him. There’s no way I can understand right now how he feels.”
Wemby confirmed the immense historical and emotional weight the franchise cornerstone carries as San Antonio advances to its first NBA Finals since 2014. Though Popovich officially retired from his 29-season sideline tenure in May 2025 following a mild stroke, his presence looms larger than ever over this ongoing postseason run. Now operating as the president of basketball operations, the legendary five-time champion has transitioned into a powerful behind-the-scenes patriarch, visiting the facility four to five times a week to balance personal rehabilitation with executive oversight.
Resuming action with Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday, the Spurs host the New York Knicks in Frost Bank Center.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 4-3 (101-112, 98-83, 105-113, 88-94, 116-109, 93-79, 116-94)
Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 4-3 (126-113, 115-105, 104-126, 89-93, 125-120, 110-112, 114-102)
New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 4-2 (113-102, 106-107, 108-109, 114-98, 126-97, 140-89)
Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 3-4 (123-91, 97-111, 108-100, 128-96, 97-113, 93-106, 100-109)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Cleveland Cavaliers 3-4 (111-101, 107-97, 109-116, 103-112, 113-117, 115-94, 94-125)
New York Knicks – Philadelphia 76ers 4-0 (137-98, 108-102, 108-94, 144-114)
Finals (best-of-seven)
New York Knicks – Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 (115-104, 109-93, 121-108, 130-93)
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 4-0 (119-84, 120-107, 121-109, 131-122)
Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 4-2 (107-98, 101-94, 112-108, 96-115, 93-99, 98-78)
Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 2-4 (126-115, 114-119, 96-113, 96-112, 125-113, 98-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 4-1 (111-98, 103-106, 120-108, 114-93, 114-95)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 (108-90, 125-107, 131-108, 115-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Minnesota Timberwolves 4-2 (102-104, 133-95, 115-108, 109-114, 126-97, 139-109)
Finals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – San Antonio Spurs 3-4 (115-122, 122-113, 123-108, 82-103, 127-114, 91-118, 103-111)
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
San Antonio Spurs – New York Knicks
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