POPOVICH EJECTION PUTS HAMMON IN CHARGE OF SPURS
Becky Hammon would have preferred a victory over history after becoming the first woman to coach an NBA team.
Lakers 121, Spurs 107
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 night.
“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 ref lect. I have not had time to look at my phone. So, I don’t know what’s going on outside the AT&T Center.”
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. The
teams will complete the twogame set Friday night.
“(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 with the guys.”
Popovich was ejected by official Tony Brown with 3:56 remaining 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 to applause from several of the team’s family members in attendance, Popovich pointed a finger at Hammon and had a succinct message.
“You got ’em,” Hammon said. “See? He doesn’t treat us any differently than he does you guys.”
Heat 119, Bucks 108: Goran Dragic scored 26 points, Bam Adebayo finished with 22 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds and host Miami beat Milwaukee
— a day after Milwaukee made an NBA-record 29 3pointers on the way to a 47point romp on Miami’s home f loor.
Tyler Herro had 21 points and grabbed a career-best 15 rebounds for Miami. Giannis Antetokounmpo had a triple-double — 26 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists — for the Bucks.
Clippers 128, Trail Blazers 105: Kawhi Leonard returned to the lineup after missing two games for a laceration on his mouth and scored 28 points to lead host Los Angeles past Portland. Paul George added 23 points, and the Clippers made 18 of 38 3-pointers.
Blazers star Damian Lillard was held to 3-of-14 shooting including 0 of 8 on 3-pointers, but scored 20 points with 14 coming from the line.
Celtics 126, Grizzlies 107:
Jaylen Brown scored 18 of his 42 points in the second quarter and host Boston pulled away to its 10th straight victory over Memphis. Jayson Tatum scored 16 points, and Marcus Smart had 14.
Nets 145, Hawks 141: Kyrie Irving shook off three rough quarters to score 17 of his 25 points in the fourth, Kevin Durant had 33 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, and Brooklyn handed Atlanta its first loss.
Trae Young had 30 points, 11 assists and six rebounds, and John Collins had 30 points and 10 rebounds. The Hawks won their first three for the first time since 2016.
Hornets 118, Mavericks 99: LaMelo Ball scored 22 points, Miles Bridges had 20 points and 16 rebounds and visiting Charlotte blew out Dallas, holding Luka Donic to 12 points and five assists.