TNT Sports
Gregg Popovich asks fans to stop booing Kawhi Leonard during latest San Antonio Spurs defeat - 'That's not who we are'
By
Published 23/11/2023 at 09:05 GMT
On another dramatic night of NBA action, San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich got on the microphone to ask home fans to stop booing Kawhi Leonard. The former Spurs man now plays for LA Clippers and was met with hostility at the Frost Bank Center on Wednesday night. The incident occurred in the second quarter as Leonard was about to shoot a free throw. The Clippers won the game 109-102.
‘A rough night’ – San Antonio Spurs dominated by New York Knicks as Wembanyama gets 'education'
Video credit: TNT Sports
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich grabbed the microphone and urged home fans to stop booing former player Kawhi Leonard as he lined up a pair of free throws in the second quarter.
There was just over three minutes left on the clock when the incident occurred, as Popovich paused the game briefly in an attempt to halt the hostility towards the LA Clippers ace.
“Excuse me for a second,” Popovich said to the crowd. “Can we stop all the booing and let these guys play?
“Have a little class. That's not who we are. Knock off the booing.”
The booing continued at the Frost Bank Center but it did little to deter Leonard, who scored a game-high 26 points as the Clippers claimed a 109-102 victory, which was their seventh straight against the Spurs.
Leonard began his NBA career with the Spurs in 2011 before being traded in 2018 to the LA side. The 32-year-old admitted he was unaware of what had happened at the time and said he expects that kind of reaction when he returns to San Antonio.
“I was just in the moment trying to knock down my free throws,” Leonard said.
He added: “If I don't have a Spurs jersey on, they're probably going to boo me the rest of my career,” Leonard said. “But I mean it is what it is.
“Like I said, they're one of the best fans in the league and they're very competitive. Once I step out on this basketball court out here, they show that they're going for the other side.
“When I'm on the streets or going into restaurants, they show love. So it is what it is.”
Defeat leaves Spurs rooted to the bottom of the Western Conference standings with just three wins from 15.
After the game, Popovich was asked about his decision to address fans in the middle of the game and said: “I think anybody that knows anything about sports -- you don't poke the bear.”
LA Clippers are seventh in the table and welcome New Orleans Pelicans next, while Popovich’s side travel to Golden State Warriors looking to arrest a run of 10 straight defeats.
- - -
TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement