Becky Hammon calls being first woman to serve as acting NBA head coach ‘a substantial moment’

She says Pop gave her the nod in a very Pop-like way.

Becky Hammon has been making history in the NBA for years. She became the first full-time female assistant coach in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014 as well as the first female head coach in the NBA Summer League. Wednesday night, Hammon chipped away at more barriers when she became the first woman serving as head coach during an NBA game.

Hammon, who has been with the Spurs for seven years, assumed head coaching duties after Gregg Popovich was ejected in the second quarter of the Spurs eventual 121-107 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

“He officially pointed at me. That was it. … That was it,” Hammon said of getting the nod. “Said, ‘You got ’em,’ and that was it. Very Pop-like.”


After the game, Hammon spoke about the historic nature of the moment.

“Obviously, it’s a big deal. It’s a substantial moment. I’ve been a part of this organization, I got traded here in 2007, so I’ve been in San Antonio and part of the Spurs and sports organization with the Stars and everything for 13 years. So I have a lot of time invested, and they have a lot of time invested in me, in building me and getting me better.”

The basketball world congratulated Hammon on her barrier breaking night.