Spurs Beat Pacers as Coach Gregg Popovich Wins 1000th NBA Game

The San Antonio Spurs trailed the Indiana Pacers 79-65 entering the fourth quarter of their game on February 9th, but scored 30 points in the final period to edge the Indiana Pacers 95-93 in Indianapolis. The defending NBA champs improved to 33-19, and are in fourth place 5 ½ games behind Memphis in the very competitive Southwest Division. The victory was coach Gregg Popovich’s 1000 of his NBA career, all of which have been with the San Antonio Spurs, adding another milestone to a sure Hall of Fame coaching career. His overall record is 1000-462, and his 1000 victories are ninth best in NBA history. Don Nelson, who coached for 31 years, is the all time leader with 1335.

Popovich took over as head coach in San Antonio in the 1996-97 season. Since that time he has won five NBA titles to go with those 1000 wins. His five championships are tied for third best in NBA history behind Phil Jackson (11) and Red Auerbach (9).