NBA mourns passing of Erin Popovich, wife of Spurs’ head coach

Erin Popovich, the wife of San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, died Wednesday after a lengthy fight with a respiratory illness. "We are deeply saddened and are sending our condolences," San Antonio guard Danny Green said. "This is the time we have to be there for him." The Spurs announced the death of Erin Popovich in a statement released early Wednesday night. She was 67, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette, her hometown newspaper. It is uncertain whether Gregg Popovich will coach Thursday's Game 3 of the Spurs' first-round playoff series against the Warriors. Popovich's top assistant, Ettore Messina, probably would direct the team in Popovich's absence.