San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich moved into fifth place in career coaching victories with Monday’s 100-91 triumph over the Knicks.
Popovich now has 1,176 wins in 1,694 games dating back to 1997, all with the Spurs. Only former Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan registered more victories with one team (1,223, which includes playoff wins).
Most coaching victories, NBA history
1. Don Nelson – 1,335
2. Lenny Wilkins – 1,332
3. Jerry Sloan – 1,221
4. Pat Riley – 1,210
5. GREGG POPOVICH – 1,176
6. George Karl – 1,175
7. Phil Jackson – 1,155
8. Larry Brown – 1,098
9. Rick Adelman – 1,042
10. Bill Fitch – 944
Popovich’s career winning percentage of .694 ranks fourth among coaches with at least 250 games, behind Steve Kerr (.843), Phil Jackson (.704) and Billy Cunningham (.698).
Popovich is also tied for third with five career championships and tied for first with three NBA Coach of the Year awards.
Despite all that, Popovich was typically self-deprecatory about his latest achievement.
“It doesn’t mean anything,” he told the media, “except that I’ve had good players, and I’ve coached for eons.”
Gregg Popovich on passing George Karl for 5th on the NBA's all-time coaching wins list: "I don't remember scoring any points or getting any rebounds" pic.twitter.com/STfNcYHI5g
— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) January 3, 2018
