Post-match press conference.
Faced with questions from reporters, Gregg Popovich showed a face full of helplessness: "Our players did their best, but unfortunately, we couldn't stop the Kings from winning. My players are young, and despite the exhaustion, they never think about giving up. I'm proud of them. »
Popovich has no hope for the next game in his heart. At the G2, it is possible to say bold words to find a way to win again, but this is easier said than done.
The Celtics in 2023 thought they could overcome an 0-3 deficit, but Miami gave it the G7. The Heat that season was an anomaly and lost in the finals to the Nuggets.
Ewing: "Every one of my players is great. Each of them did everything possible to win. I'm proud to coach them. »
"Hector played MVP performances in all three games without forcing his talent. While I know the performance is for the regular season, he doesn't underestimate the Spurs, " said Doc Rivers. "
The prize is only awarded at the end of the first round of the playoffs and the beginning of the second round, although this season's prize is a certainty barring disaster.
"The Kings are pretty much qualified. The only suspense is when," sighs Doris Burke. Nobody was optimistic for the Spurs, but seeing a team get eliminated is always bad.
After returning to the hotel, he follows the results of the other teams. The Warriors snatched a win in Denver.
The Kings, Knicks, and Celtics are the only teams at 3:0. The Sixers and Hawks, play-in winners, can do nothing. Like the Kings, the question is when the qualification will be official.
In the West, the seeds all lead 2-1. Hector is watching the Lakers-Thunder. The Lakers lead, but nothing is decided.
The Kings played the Spurs for the G4. Many people are optimistic about the sweep of the Spurs by the Kings. The attraction of this game is the retirement of the greatest head coach of all time, Gregg Popovich.
All the Spurs legends are present, and the Spurs players feel the pressure. After the game started, the Kings played fast and took the Spurs on the wrong foot. The Kings have always played slow in this series, but the Kings' pace is in the top 10.
The Spurs are athletic but played a quick break against the Kings. Never!
At the end of the first quarter, 33:23! The Spurs are already 10 points behind.
In the second quarter, Ewing insisted on keeping Hector on the court. With this choice, his intention is obvious. Sweep!
At the beginning of the second quarter, the Kings accelerated continuously, even with the rotation. This time, it is probably Wembanyama's best game in the series, but Hector against him is also exceptional.
Without Wembanyama, the team is unable to stay under 10 points behind. But they can't go back up because the Kings dictate the tempo, halftime ends 62-52!
Entering the third quarter, Hector was given a rest by Ewing. It's not that the lead is stable but that Wembanyama is too lonely for the Kings to be worried, and the lead is still around 10 points.
Spurs fans in the audience would have preferred a better farewell for their legendary coach, who will be retired at the final buzzer. The Kings sent Lebron to retirement, and now Gregg Popovich comes to fill the chase board.
In the third quarter and fourth quarters, the Kings maintained steady momentum. Despite a burst of pride from the valiant Spurs, the step was too high, but the young Spurs could see the gap it separated them from the top level.
122-100! The Kings have finished the Spurs sweep!
Wembanyama had a career-best 31 points, 17 rebounds, and 7 assists. The people who grabbed more rebounds than Hector in a game can be counted on the fingers of one hand.
But Hector went to see Gregg Popovich, the legend.
"I'm sorry. I love you!" whispered Hector in Gregg's ears. This moment was filmed and will be in the legend of Hector. This moment also sounded the death knell of Popovich's legendary career on the Spurs bench.