SAN ANTONIO >> Greg Popovich's name tops the list of NBA regular season victories. He thinks of it more as a group achievement.
"We all share that record," Popovich said Friday night after taking his record-breaking 1,336th win when the San Antonio Spurs beat the Utah Jazz 104-102. "It's not mine. It's ours, here in town."
Popovich broke a tie with friend and mentor Don Nelson, who served as an assistant with Golden State for two seasons. The milestone came in Popovich's 2,030th game and 26th season with Spurs, the only franchise he has served as head coach.
"It's just a testament to a lot of people," Popovich said. "It's not something that belongs to one person. Basketball is a team sport. You preach to your players that they have to do it together and that's certainly happened to all the wonderful players and coaches in my life who have I am blessed by the staff, the support of this wonderful city. The fans support us no matter what."
Unsurprisingly, the evening met with zero fanfare. That is, until the end - at the end of the game the players surrounded the 73-year-old Popovich, jumped around and hugged him until he broke free and went to the locker room. Popovich submerged from the water cooler as a loud roar could be heard from the locker room as Spurs celebrated with Hall of Famer David Robinson.
"Tonight, he had to enjoy it," said Spurs point guard DeJonte Murray. "He didn't have a choice."
Any achievement praise or celebration is usually ruthlessly brushed off or simply ignored by Popovich. To explain this to Popovich, he simply comes to work and rolls the ball across the court.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
He is the fourth coach, going back at the end of the NBA's first season, to top the winning list. Red Auerbach held the mark for nearly half a century, followed by Lenny Wilkens, then Nelson - and now, Popovich.
"The irony about it is that Nelly gave me a job when I didn't have one in '92," Popovich said. "He took me upon himself. Being in this position, breathing like him, is in my opinion unnerving and quite strange because he was so amazing at saving my family's ass. So, it's ironic that I'm here in this position. I'm sitting."
Popovich's first stint at San Antonio ended in 1992, working for Larry Brown—until the entire coaching staff was fired. This was when Popovich got a job as an assistant at Golden State, working for Nelson for two seasons. He returned to Spurs in 1994, and took over as coach in 1996.
Spurs released a video from Nelson after the game, congratulating Popovich – whom he called one of his best friends – and telling him how proud they were of his former assistant's achievements "and basketball around the world." The wonderful things you've done for me."
Nelson said, "I'm so proud of you for doing this." "I couldn't wait for this day to happen."
Popovich has won five NBA championships, 13 division titles and was most recently named one of the 15 greatest coaches in league history. He also worked with NBA 75th anniversary team members David Robinson and Tim Duncan, future Hall of Fame members Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, as well as career-seeking travelers in San Antonio such as Danny Green and current NBA coaches Steve Kerr, Monty Williams, I have coached Udoka. and Doc Rivers.
"Greg Popovich's success with the Spurs is unprecedented in our league, so it is only fitting that he now holds the record for most career wins," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.
"His leadership and unwavering commitment to the game is widely admired by generations of players and coaches. Congratulations to Coach Pop on this latest achievement in his illustrious career."
San Antonio won 50 games for a league-record 18 straight seasons from 2000–2017 under Popovich. The Spurs matched a league record with 22 straight playoff appearances, but have missed two straight post seasons since their streak ended in 2017.
While the glory days seem distant, Popovich is following along.
Popovich joked that coaching Duncan, Parker and Ginobili had become "boring" because they knew everything. The current roster is the opposite of that.
Utah coach Quinn Snyder, who coached the Spurs' G League team from 2007-2010, said "what he means to so many people and the profession to me." "It's the kind of natural evolution that should be based on the integrity with which this program has won for so many years and is leading and recognizing it."
This year's team is the youngest team in Popovich's career. The Spurs have fully embraced a rapid rebuild due to the retirement of the Big Three as well as the forced departure of Kawhi Leonard from San Antonio.
Murray, who has emerged as the team's newest star, had 27 points and nine rebounds to take the Spurs ahead of the Jazz. Murray made two free throws with 4.8 seconds and took the win with 1 second out of 2.
"We did it for pop," Murray said. "(We wanted Popovich) to really accept it and be grateful for it. It doesn't happen. It's rare. He deserves it. He's a great man. A great coach."
Murray's 17-footer leveled on 84 with 5:28 and was leveled by the Spurs by 18-3 runs. Lonnie Walker IV scored two of three free throws to put San Antonio up 96-95 for his first lead, as Josh Richardson's 15-footer put him 5-3 1:31 in the game.
Donovan Mitchell had 24 points for Utah, and Rudy Gobert added 13 points and 16 rebounds.
Former Spurs forward Rudy Gay pulled Utah 103-102 on a 3-pointer with 1.0 seconds remaining.
"None of us are coaches for the record," Popovich said. "We do it for the win like tonight."