Spurs’ De’Aaron Fox recalls Gregg Popovich surprise after Game 3 vs. Thunder

De’Aaron Fox told a story about how Gregg Popovich inspired the San Antonio Spurs following their Game 3 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

San Antonio was coming off an incredible overtime victory in Game 1, stunning Oklahoma City to start the Western Conference Finals. However, the defending champions bounced back to take Games 2 and 3, seeing the Spurs down 2-1 in the series.

Not wanting to see his team go down 3-1, Popovich talked to his team in the locker room after Game 3. Even though he is no longer the head coach and mainly in the team’s front office, Fox said that the legendary coach’s words rung loud and clear in the locker room.

“Has Pop come in that locker room and say he needs some nastiness outta y’all?” Tracy McGrady asked.

“We lost Game 3… but that was the first time he walked into the locker room and was like “Nah, that’s BS.. that’s not how we play basketball” and obviously he had some choice words for us.. that was the first time all season that he came into the locker room right after a game and told us how he felt,” Fox answered.

T-Mac: "Has Pop come in that locker room and say he needs some nastiness outta y'all?"

Fox: "We lost Game 3… but that was the first time he walked into the locker room and was like "Nah, that's BS.. that's not how we play basketball" and obviously he had some choice words for… pic.twitter.com/Qya65fkyuR

— Bala (@BalaPattySZN) May 25, 2026

How De’Aaron Fox, Spurs played against Thunder

De’Aaron Fox and the Spurs made Gregg Popovich with their Game 4 performance, blowing out the Thunder 108-83.

San Antonio dominated Oklahoma City from start to finish. The visitors missed Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell due to injury, seeing them suffer offensively as the Spurs exploited those absences all night.

Four players scored in double-digits for San Antonio in the win, including Wembanyama. He put together a stat line of 33 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and two steals. He shot 11-of-22 from the field, including 3-of-7 from beyond the arc, and 8-of-9 from the free-throw line. Castle came next with 13 points and six assists, Devin Vassell had 13 points and six rebounds, while De’Aaron Fox provided 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The Spurs will look to take a 3-2 series lead when they face the Thunder on the road in Game 5. The contest takes place on May 26 at 8:30 p.m. ET.

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