1 hour ago
9
ARTICLE AD BOX
Gregg Popovich. Image via: Garrett Ellwood/ NBAE via Getty Images
Gregg Popovich is not on the San Antonio Spurs bench, but his voice is still reaching his players. With the Spurs facing elimination in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals against the New York Knicks on Saturday night at Frost Bank Center, forward Julian Champagnie revealed that the franchise's legendary coach has been sending texts to keep the team's spirits up and accountability sharp.The message from the winningest head coach in NBA history lands at a critical moment. San Antonio trails 3-1 and needs to win four straight to claim the title, something only the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers have ever done in the NBA Finals.
How Gregg Popovich's presence is keeping the Spurs focused ahead of a must-win Game 5
Champagnie shared the details during an appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio, describing a coach who has remained deeply invested even from a distance. "I mean, he shoots us all texts to keep our spirits high and stuff like that, tells where we have to be better.
As he gets an address as a team or anything like that, he was in film today," Champagnie said."We've seen him today, and I'm sure he'll say stuff to us tomorrow or the next day or whatever it is. But obviously, whenever we see him, we all get that warm feeling, obviously as coach, as coach Pop."
Popovich, who is reportedly managing ongoing health concerns and is no longer coaching on the sidelines, has nonetheless maintained an active presence around the organization throughout San Antonio's surprising run to the Finals.
His involvement in film sessions and continued communication with players reinforces his status as the spiritual core of this franchise, regardless of what his official capacity may be.
Spurs need to erase 3-1 deficit after historic Game 4 collapse
Gregg Popovich and Victor Wembanyama. Image via: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
The circumstances that produced this elimination game were difficult to watch for Spurs fans. San Antonio built a commanding first-half advantage in Game 4, shooting 14-of-26 from three-point range, the most 3-pointers made in a half in NBA Finals history.
But the Knicks turned it around entirely, outscoring the Spurs in the second half behind OG Anunoby's clutch basket and another 30-plus point effort from Jalen Brunson to win 107-106.
| Game | Status / Series Lead | Away Team | Away Score | Result | Home Score | Home Team | Date / Time |
| Game 1 | NYK leads 1-0 | NY Knicks | 105 | FINAL | 95 | SA Spurs | — |
| Game 2 | NYK leads 2-0 | NY Knicks | 105 | FINAL | 104 | SA Spurs | — |
| Game 3 | NYK leads 2-1 | SA Spurs | 115 | FINAL | 111 | NY Knicks | — |
| Game 4 | NYK leads 3-1 | SA Spurs | 106 | FINAL | 107 | NY Knicks | — |
| Game 5 | NYK leads 3-1 | NY Knicks | — | LIVE | — | SA Spurs | — |
| Game 6 | If Necessary | SA Spurs | — | — | — | NY Knicks | Tue • Jun 16, 2026, 8:30 pm ET |
| Game 7 | If Necessary | NY Knicks | — | — | — | SA Spurs | Fri • Jun 19, 2026, 8:30 pm ET |
Victor Wembanyama shot just 21.4% from the field in the second half and missed two crucial free throws in the final two minutes. De'Aaron Fox's late-game miscue compounded the damage. A team that seemed poised to even the series instead handed New York a commanding lead with one of the worst second-half collapses in Finals history.Game 5 tips off Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC from Frost Bank Center. San Antonio's crowd will be loud. Whether that, and Pop's texts, are enough to extend this series is the question now sitting in front of a young Spurs team that has already exceeded most expectations.
English (US) ·