Victor Wembanyama Gets Extremely Emotional Thinking About Gregg Popovich After Reaching NBA Finals

Victor Wembanyama said he urgently wants to speak with Gregg Popovich after making it to the NBA Finals.

Victor Wembanyama Gets Extremely Emotional Thinking About Gregg Popovich After Reaching NBA Finals

Gregg Popovich and Victor Wembanyama (Image credits - Firstsportz)

In Short
  • Victor Wembanyama expressed deep emotions regarding Gregg Popovich after leading the Spurs to the NBA Finals.
  • Popovich, who coached the Spurs from 1996 to 2025, transitioned to president of basketball operations due to health concerns.
  • Wembanyama emphasized that despite their limited time together, Popovich's influence remains significant within the organization.

When Victor Wembanyama was drafted into the NBA by the San Antonio Spurs as the number one pick, it looked like Gregg Popovich had found his generational talent after dominating the league with Tim Duncan. Unfortunately, due to health concerns, Popovich had to step down in 2025 and was able to coach Wembanyama just for one season.

Popovich transitioned to a new role as president of basketball operations, and Mitch Johnson became the head coach at the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign. However, in the limited time they spent together, Wembanyama and Popovich formed a strong bond.

In their first playoff appearance since 2019, the Spurs booked their spot in the NBA Finals after beating the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. It was a close game, but Wembanyama led his team to a 111-103 victory at the Paycom Center on Saturday night.

After the game, Wembanyama was asked what this moment meant for Popovich.

I can’t answer that question. I don’t know what it means for him. That’s a guy who’s got more experience as a coach than almost anybody. And has been through so many things in his career. And so many things right now as El Jefe. He goes through some things we can’t even imagine. So, I need to call him. I need to see. I need to talk to him because there’s no way I can understand right now how he feels.

Victor Wembanyama in his post match press conference

Greg Popovich is arguably the greatest NBA figure in Spurs’ history. He was the head coach of the franchise from 1996 to 2025. He won five championships with the club as head coach and is now on course to win his first as a President.

Victor Wembanyama felt emotional when speaking about Popovich. After a disappointing performance in Game 3, De’Aaron Fox revealed that the former head coach walked into the locker room and gave a piece of his mind for the first time this season. His words proved to be a huge source of motivation for the Spurs squad for the rest of the series.

It is the Spurs’ first NBA Finals since 2014. While Popovich may not be the head coach as he was in 2014, it is clear from Wembanyama’s words how much he means to the organization and the players.

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Fans react to Victor Wembanyama’s emotional words for Gregg Popovich

Victor Wembanyama has shown the NBA world that he is cut from a different cloth. In just his third season in the NBA, he is cementing himself as the best player in the league and is well on course to go all the way this year.

Following his comments on Gregg Popovich, fans took to social media to react to them.

Fans were delighted to see Wembanyama get emotional for his former coach. It shows Popovich’s influence remains deeply embedded in the organization.

Victor Wembanyama knows the job is not finished

Victor Wembanyama is having one of the greatest postseason debuts of all time. At the age of 22, he carried the Spurs to a second-place finish in the Western Conference Finals and has now led his team to their first NBA Finals appearance in 12 years.

Spurs need a dominant effort from Victor Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama with his Spurs teammates (Image via Legion Hoops/X)

After being awarded the Western Conference Finals MVP trophy, Wembanyama was loud and clear that his dream isn’t fulfilled yet.

We want four more. We are not done. Go Spurs! Go!

Victor Wembanyama in his postgame interview

Wembanyama and the Spurs are now four wins away from a historic NBA championship. They will face off against the New York Knicks, who are currently on an 11-match winning streak after registering consecutive clean sweeps in the previous two rounds.

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