On May 2, 2025, the San Antonio Spurs officially announced that Gregg Popovich, their long-serving head coach, would be stepping down after an impressive 29 seasons. Following this announcement, Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard expressed his tribute to Popovich.
During his tenure, Popovich led the team to five NBA championships and established a legacy as one of the greatest coaches in basketball history. In a recent press conference, Leonard expressed his admiration for his former coach with a heartfelt tribute.
“He had a phenomenal career. He coached until pretty much he couldn’t in a sense. It shows how much dedication he had to the game, how much he loved the game, and how much he gave to the game. I appreciate everything he’s done for me. Coming into the league, he helped build my foundation and showed me how to win. I want to congratulate him on his career. But also, stay healthy,” Leonard said.
Kawhi Leonard took a moment to praise his former coach Gregg Popovich after losing Game 7 to the Nuggets. 🥹 https://t.co/IdYHHXBwQ2 pic.twitter.com/BsIPDMsGuK
— theScore (@theScore) May 4, 2025
The Spurs announced that Popovich will transition into a new role as president of basketball operations. Leonard spent seven seasons with the Spurs while Popovich served as head coach, during which Leonard won one NBA championship under his leadership.
Kawhi Leonard’s Performance In Game 7 Loss Against The Denver Nuggets
The playoff series between the Clippers and the Denver Nuggets in Round 1 was one of the most intense matchups of the season. After a tied record of 3-3 following Game 6, the series went to a thrilling Game 7. Unfortunately for the Clippers, Game 7 did not go as planned. Kawhi Leonard played for 33 minutes, scoring 22 points along with two assists and five rebounds.
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Ivica Zubac contributed with 10 points, two assists, and 14 rebounds in 32 minutes of play. Despite their efforts, the Clippers were overpowered by the Nuggets, losing the game with a final score of 101-120. With this defeat, the Clippers’ quest for the championship this season came to an end. The Nuggets advanced to the second round of the playoffs, where they will face the Oklahoma City Thunder.
