Ettore Messina to coach Spurs in Game 5 vs. Warriors

The Spurs will be without head coach Gregg Popovich for Game 5 of the first round Tuesday night against the Warriors. San Antonio assistant coach Ettore Messina will fill in as head coach in Popovich's absence. After battling an undisclosed illness for an extended period, Gregg's wife, Erin Popovich, died early Wednesday. She was 67. Erin and Gregg were married for four decades and had two children — Jill and Mickey — as well as two grandchildren. Messina, 58, is in his fourth season as a Spurs assistant. With Popovich gone Thursday, Messina sat in the top seat as San Antonio dropped Game 3, 110-97. He then oversaw the Spurs' 103-90 win over the Warriors in Game 4 on Sunday.