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While the San Antonio Spurs are in the Western Conference Finals without Gregg Popovich as their head coach, the five-time NBA champion is still an important part of the team.
With the Spurs facing the possibility of a 3-1 hole, San Antonio dominated the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4 to instead tie the series at 2-2. It turns out, the team may not have been able to produced that result if it weren't for Popovich's help.
De'Aaron Fox revealed a behind-the-scenes moment on Friday night in which Popovich gave the team a rare speech. While Popovich has typically stayed out of the way to allow Mitch Johnson to coach the team himself, he has helped the teams at times as players or coaches needed him.
One of those moments was on Friday night, and it may saved the season for the Spurs. Here's how Popovich ignited San Antonio's Game 4 victory.
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Gregg Popovich locker room speech
After Game 4, De'Aaron Fox shared how Popovich motivated the team following San Antonio's Game 3 loss on Friday night. The former head coach apparently chided the team for playing below expectation and allowing the Thunder to take the series lead.
"Pop's been around over the course of the season, but that was the first time he walked into the locker room and was like, 'Nah, that's BS. That's not how we play basketball,'" Fox said. Obviously, he had some choice words for us."
De'Aaron Fox said Gregg Popovich came into the Spurs' locker room after the Game 3 loss:
"That was the first time he walked into the locker room and was like, 'Nah, that's BS. That's not how we play basketball.' Obviously, he had some choice words for us." pic.twitter.com/CaZSIcfXxL
The point guard added that the entire organization, including players, coaches, executives and trainers, were all in the locker room when Popovich spoke up.
"Everybody felt that," Fox mentioned.
Popovich was in the building on Sunday night to see the Spurs blowout the Thunder, as he sat in the box next to Tim Duncan.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 25, 2026MORE: Explaining Gregg Popovich's role with the Spurs
When did Gregg Popovich retire?
Popovich suffered a stroke in November of 2024 and was unable to return to the sidelines for the rest of the season. Mitch Johnson took over as interim head coach to close the 2024-25 campaign, then was named full-time head coach when Popovich retired in May of 2025.
Now, Popovich is a member of the Spurs front office and is officially listed as President of Basketball Operations. Throughout the season, Popovich has provided support to both the players and the coaching staff all while still recovering from his stroke.
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