The San Antonio Spurs returned to the Alamo City on Sunday to face the Brooklyn Nets, but the biggest moment of the day came quietly before tipoff. Without prior announcement, the organization quietly unveiled a new banner honoring legendary former head coach and current team president Gregg Popovich.
Gregg Popovich receives a banner from the San Antonio Spurs
The white banner, simple in design, reads “Pop 1,390” — a nod to Popovich’s NBA-record 1,390 regular-season victories. It now hangs alongside the retired numbers of Spurs greats David Robinson, Sean Elliott, Avery Johnson, Bruce Bowen, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.
“Very Pop-esque,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said before the tip. “Obviously, what an honor to have him included with that group. Can’t say enough in terms of 29 years as the head coach, longer with the organization, five championships.
Johnson added that the understated nature of the tribute reflected Popovich’s long-standing approach to leadership.
“Everything that you see here or have heard regarding this organization, he has his handprints all over it,” Johnson said. “The amount of dedication, time and energy he put into so many things that are never for public consumption — the players, the importance of everything, how we do everything, the attention to detail, the consistency, the love, blood, sweat and tears we put into it.”
Popovich, 76, stepped down from his coaching role in May but remains team president. He suffered a stroke last November at the Frost Bank Center and did not return to the sidelines for the remainder of the season. Johnson, who served as interim coach, was officially named his successor in May.
Legends. pic.twitter.com/cXKvpyBwcw
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) October 26, 2025
The banner — unveiled with no fanfare and no publicity — was most likely done with the blessing of Popovich, something coined very “Pop-esque”
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