NBA world pays tribute to Gregg Popovich's wife, Erin Popovich, following death

AJ Neuharth-Keusch | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Erin Popovich, wife of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, dies The news of Erin Popovich's passing was announced on Wednesday night, and support rolled in from across the NBA world.

Immediately after the San Antonio Spurs announced that Erin Popovich, the wife of head coach Gregg Popovich, had passed away on Wednesday, the support from the NBA world began to pour in.

Kevin Durant, whose Golden State Warriors are up 2-0 in their first-round playoff series with the Spurs, was left speechless upon hearing the news.

"Seriously? Man. Prayers and condolences go out to his family," a somber Durant told reporters in San Antonio in an exchange that was captured on video. "Damn. I don't even know what to say, man."

LeBron James, who was playing in Game 2 of his Cleveland Cavaliers' first-round series against the Indiana Pacers at the time of the announcement, was visibly devastated when he was informed after the game.

"Obviously, I'm a huge Pop fan. I love Pop. That's such a tragedy," James said during his postgame interview on TNT. "My best wishes go out to Pop and his family. That's devastating news. Holy — um, it's just a lot. The NBA family, we all stick together. I know we compete every night, but something like this happens, it puts everything in perspective."

Warriors just learning about Erin Popovich’s passing. Steve Kerr understandably at a loss for words. Same with Kevin Durant pic.twitter.com/PT48FYKIOC — Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) April 19, 2018

"That's such a tragedy. My best wishes go out to Pop and his family." - @KingJames on the passing of Erin Popovich pic.twitter.com/83dc09urac — NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 19, 2018

Erin and Gregg Popovich were married for four decades and have two children and two grandchildren, according to the Spurs.

According to the San Antonio Express-News, she died after a lengthy battle with an illness. She was 67.

The San Antonio paper said her late father was the athletic trainer at the Air Force Academy for 43 years. Gregg Popovich is a 1970 Air Force Academy graduate and was an assistant basketball coach there from 1973-79.

Additional messages sent to the Popovich family on social media are below:

I was shocked and saddened to hear on @NBAonTNT of the passing of #ErinPopovich wife of @spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, died today. They were married four decades. My heart goes out to him & his family. @NBA — TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) April 19, 2018

Cookie and I send our thoughts and prayers to Coach Gregg Popovich and his family on their loss of his wife Erin. May she rest in peace. — Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 19, 2018

Rudy Gay on passing of Erin Popovich: “I would like to send my sincere condolences to coach pop and his family. Ecko and I in our short time were well received by Erin and she was very helpful and kind to us. Blessings to the Popovich family.” — The Gay Family ... #Spurs #NBA — Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) April 19, 2018

TheWades family Prayers goes out to Coach Popovich and his family!!!🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 — DWade (@DwyaneWade) April 19, 2018

Knowing Pop, it’s fair to assume Erin Popovich was an absolute legend. My deepest sympathies to Pop and his daughters. — Steve Nash (@SteveNash) April 19, 2018

Ughhh. RIP Erin Popovich. Condolences to Pop and his family...40 years of marriage. It’s bigger than basketball. The NBA family mourning this loss — Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) April 19, 2018

Praying for Coach Pop and his family! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 — Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) April 19, 2018

Prayers up for Pop and his family right now 🙏🏾 — Harrison Barnes (@hbarnes) April 19, 2018

We’re all with you coach pop. — Aaron Gordon (@Double0AG) April 19, 2018

There is more to life than this game of basketball — Shaun Livingston (@ShaunLivingston) April 19, 2018

Terrible news about Pops wife. Sending prayers your family’s way 🙏🏽 — Zach LaVine (@ZachLaVine) April 19, 2018

Praying for Coach Popovich and his entire family. May his wife rest peacefully — Wayne Ellington (@WayneElli22) April 19, 2018