Hammon makes history; Lebron wins on birthday
Spurs assistant first woman to direct NBA team
SAN ANTONIO — Becky Hammon would have preferred a victory over history after becoming the first woman to coach an NBA team.
The assistant coach took over the San Antonio Spurs in the second quarter after coach Gregg Popovich was ejected in a 121-107 loss to Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.
“I try not to think of the huge picture and huge aspect of it because it can be overwhelming,” Hammon said. “I really have had no time to reflect.”
Hammon and the Spurs already had a lot to contend with against the defending league champion Lakers.
James celebrated his 36th birthday with 26 points, eight assists and five rebounds in the Lakers’ third double-digit victory of the season.
“(I was) trying to get the guys in the right spots,” Hammon said. “Trying to get them motivated. Obviously, it’s a learning situation for all of us, but I would have loved to have walked out there with a win.”
Official Tony Brown ejected Popovich with 3:56 left in the second quarter. Popovich screamed at Brown and entered the court following a non-call on Demar Derozan’s attempted layup and a subsequent attempted rebound by Drew Eubanks.
As he exited the court, Popovich pointed a finger at Hammon.
Said James: “Obviously she’s been paying her dues over the last few years, and Coach Pop has given her the opportunity. … It’s a beautiful thing just to hear her barking out calls, barking out sets. She’s very passionate about the game. Congrats to her, and congrats for our league.”
Hammon took over the team’s huddles during timeouts and walked the sideline following
Popovich’s ejection. Hammon was the first full-time female assistant coach in league history.
“Well deserved,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. “She really knows her stuff, and obviously she’s here for a reason. She’s equipped, intelligent (and the) guys have great respect for her. She’s going to be a great coach one day.”
A three-time All-america guard at Colorado State, Hammon played for the New York Liberty and San Antonio Stars in the WNBA as well as overseas before retiring to join Popovich’s staff in 2014.
■ Clippers 128, Trail Blazers 105: At Los Angeles, Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points in his return from a two-game absence for Los Angeles, which shot 58 percent in the first half and led by 30 points in the second. C.J. Mccollum hit seven 3-pointers and totaled 25 points for Portland, which made 29 of 34 free throws.
■ Heat 119, Bucks 108: At Miami, Bam Adebayo had 22 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds for Miami, which lost to Milwaukee by 47 points 24 hours
earlier. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 26 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for the Bucks, who led by 11 with 3:44 left in the third quarter.
■ Celtics 126, Grizzlies 107:
At Boston, Jaylen Brown scored 18 of his career-high 42 points in the second quarter for Boston, which won its 10th straight meeting with Memphis. Jonas Valanciunas had 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who lost for the third time in four games.
■ Nets 145, Hawks 141: At New York, Kevin Durant had 33 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists for Brooklyn, which dealt Atlanta its first loss in four games. Kyrie Irving scored 17 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter for the Nets. Trae Young had 30 points, 11 assists and six rebounds for the Hawks.
■ Hornets 118, Mavericks
99: At Dallas, Lamelo Ball had 22 points and Miles Bridges 20 points and 16 rebounds for Charlotte, which led 68-57 at halftime and held a 30-12 third-quarter scoring edge. Luka Doncic managed 12 points for Dallas, which missed 30 of 41 3-point tries.