Erin Popovich, Wife Of Gregg Popovich, Dies

Erin Popovich, wife of San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, died today at the age of 67 after battling an illness:

The couple had two children and two grandchildren together after 40 years of marriage. They met while Gregg Popovich was an assistant coach at Air Force in the 1970s, as Erin was the daughter of one of the academy’s athletic trainers.

“She was a strong, wonderful, kind, intelligent woman who provided love, support and humor to all of us,” Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said in a news release.

The Spurs play Game 3 against the Warriors tomorrow at home; the team has not announced whether Gregg Popovich will be there.

Update (10:07 p.m. ET): Right after the Cavaliers wrapped their 100-97 win over the Pacers tonight, TNT broke the news of Erin Popovich’s death to LeBron—who’s close with Pop—and asked for his immediate reaction:

And another update (12:20 a.m. ET)—LeBron says that Allie LaForce had briefed him on Erin Popovich’s death and cleared the question with him before asking him on camera.