Gregg Popovich delivers locker room message after Spurs’ Game 3 loss to Thunder

Legendary former San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich delivered a blunt postgame message in the locker room after the Spurs’ Game 3 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to De’Aaron Fox and multiple team sources. Fox said Popovich entered the room for the first time this season immediately after the game and criticized the team’s performance, telling players their effort and execution did not reflect how the Spurs normally play. Rookie forward Carter Bryant described the message as direct and simple: be better.

The intervention appeared to have an immediate effect. San Antonio responded with a 103-82 victory in Game 4, tying the playoff series and sending it back to Oklahoma City for Game 5 on Tuesday. Bryant said the team took Popovich’s message seriously and executed at a much higher level in the next game.

Although Popovich officially retired from coaching last summer after suffering a stroke at the start of the 2024-25 season, he remains president of basketball operations and has continued to play an active role behind the scenes. Throughout the season and especially during the playoffs, he has been a familiar presence around the team, offering feedback to players after practices and during the series. Victor Wembanyama previously noted that when Popovich speaks, everyone listens.

Current head coach Mitch Johnson has led the Spurs on an interim basis before being named permanent head coach last summer. Johnson, who has been with the organization since 2016 and served as one of Popovich’s assistants from 2019 to 2024, has guided the team through the postseason with Popovich still influencing the culture and messaging.

The Spurs’ Game 3 defeat had been especially frustrating. San Antonio opened with the first 15 points of the game but faded badly, ultimately losing 123-108. Fox said the locker room response reflected how disappointed the team was with its mental approach and execution. He said seeing Popovich walk into the room after the loss was unusual and underscored how poorly the team had played.

Game 4, by contrast, featured a much sharper and more disciplined Spurs performance. The win leveled the series and kept San Antonio alive in the matchup as it heads back to Oklahoma City. Popovich’s rare postgame appearance became a defining moment in the series and a reminder of his continued influence on the franchise even after stepping away from the sideline.