Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs lost to the Philadelphia 76ers in overtime on Sunday after a heartbreaking game-winning tip-in from Ben Simmons. Simmons beat the buzzer with just milliseconds left on the clock to push the Sixers back atop the Eastern Conference.
In reaction to Simmons' lucky bucket with 0.2 seconds left in OT, the legendary Spurs mentor had nothing but two words (via Tom Osborn of San Antonio Express-News).
Pop on if Simmons' tap in was just a great play or if there was something his guys could have done better, if Keldon blocked out OK.
"Things happen." Pop said.
— Tom Orsborn (@tom_orsborn) May 3, 2021
Talk about a classic Popovich response.
The Spurs definitely gave the Sixers a run for their money, but a last-second lapse ultimately cost them the game, 113-111. Joel Embiid had the ball in their last possession and backed down Gorgui Dieng before putting up a turn-around jumper. Embiid was clearly bothered by the Spurs defense as he missed his last-second shot with everyone's eyeballs glued on him.
Unfortunately for the Spurs, that included forward Keldon Johnson who failed to block out Simmons who was all alone for the go-ahead tip-in as the final buzzer sounded. And Popovich was just left exasperated.
Johnson did have an impressive all-around game though with 19 points, six boards, five assists, and three steals. But, as Popovich mentioned, things happen when you don't box out a 6-foot-11 guard who averages 7.5 boards per game. The Spurs played solid all game long and waited until the game's last few ticks to come up with a costly blunder.
For what it's worth for Gregg Popovich and the Spurs, they continue to hang on to the final play-in tournament spot and still have a couple of games ahead of the New Orleans Pelicans.
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