NBA playoffs 2019: Gregg Popovich becomes winningest coach in NBA history

Kirstie Chiappelli

NBA playoffs 2019: Gregg Popovich becomes winningest coach in NBA history image

Add another remarkable accomplishment to Gregg Popovich's impressive resume.

With Saturday's 101-96 victory in Denver as San Antonio made its 22nd straight postseason appearance, the Spurs coach won his 1,413th game between the regular season and playoffs to become the winningest coach in NBA history.

The win moved Popovich past Lenny Wilkens, who is in the Hall of Fame as both a player and coach.

Don Nelson rounded out the top three with 1,410 victories, while Phil Jackson (1,384) and Pat Riley (1,381) rank fourth and fifth, respectively.

Nuggets coach Mike Malone commended Popovich after the game as he hilariously compared their rings.

"Gregg Popovich’s got five rings ... I’ve got a wedding ring," Malone joked.

While Popovich only answered four questions combined in his pregame and postgame pressers, he opted to focus on his players, specifically Derrick White, rather than himself.

"He's spectacular for somebody who got put into that position," Popovich said. "To learn that position with a bunch of new players is really remarkable when he's done what he's done. So hopefully he'll continue to play that way because it's gonna be a long series."

Popovich, 70, has guided San Antonio to the playoffs every season in his 23 years as head coach with the exception of his first year at the helm. In that time, the Spurs have won five championships, most recently in 2014.

The Nuggets will host the Spurs in Game 2 at 9 p.m. ET Tuesday.

Kirstie Chiappelli