SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Spurs have announced that assistant Ettore Messina will coach the team on Tuesday night for Game 5 against Golden State Warriors.
Head coach Gregg Popovich was not on the team plane that departed to California on Monday.
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Messina has filled in for Popovich since the sad news that Popovich's wife, Erin Popovich, died on Wednesday.
The Italian-born Messina is the team's lead assistant coach and has been with the organization since July 2014.
He coached the Spurs for Games 3 and 4 in San Antonio. The Spurs beat the Warriors on Sunday to force Game 5 at Oracle Arena.
#Spurs have announced that Ettore Messina will coach Game 5 vs #Warriors Coach Popovich was not on the team plane that departed to Oakland today #KSATsports #KSATnews #NBA pic.twitter.com/Tk2iA92BxC
— RJ Marquez (@KSATRJ) April 23, 2018