On Wednesday night, as several teams around the NBA were on the court in playoff contention, news came down the wire stating that Erin Popovich, wife of San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, passed away at the age of 67 due to complications from an illness that she had been dealing with for some time.

Now, with another playoff game on the horizon for the Spurs (vs. Golden State Warriors in Game 3 on Thursday night), several members of the team, including Tony Parker, feel that it will be difficult to perform in the wake of such a tragedy.

According to a report from Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News, Parker was at Popovich's house last night to sympathize with the coach and his family.

“It’s going to be very difficult to play basketball today, but we have to do it,” Parker told the San Antonio Express-News on Thursday.

Erin and Gregg were married for four decades. The couple got married while Gregg was working as an assistant coach at the Air Force Academy from 1973 to 1979. They have two children and two grandchildren.

The Spurs released an official statement with regards to Erin's passing.

Via ESPN's Michael C. Wright:

“We mourn the loss of Erin,” Spurs general manager RC Buford said in the team's statement. “She was a strong, wonderful, kind, intelligent woman who provided love, support and humor to all of us.”

Coach Popovich will not be on the sidelines for Thursday night's Game 3 tilt against the Warriors, according to a report from USA TODAY. Assistant coach Ettore Messina will likely lead the Spurs in Popovich's stead. The Warriors are currently leading the series, 2-0.