At the end of Wednesday’s second quarter game against the Lakers, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was sent off after receiving two technical errors for arguing with officials. The penalty kick was taken after Popovich thought DeMar DeRozan had to leave the pitch due to a knee injury.
Popovich left with Spurs following the Lakers, 52-41. He was replaced by assistant coach Becky Hammon, who took over as head coach for the rest of the game. It marked the first time a woman had ever led a team in NBA history.
Hammon, 43, is in her seventh season as a Spurs assistant after a 16-year career in the WNBA. Last season, Popovich was expelled from a November game and replaced as head coach by a committee that included Hammon, although then-assistant Tim Duncan was accused of calling parts.
Hammon was previously head coach for the Spurs during the NBA Summer League. This is the first time Popovich has been sent off this season. The Lakers went on to win, 121-107.