It was a matter of time and it looks like we have all witnessed history. Becky Hammon becames the first woman ever to serve as Head Coach in an NBA game.
She took over coaching the San Antonio Spurs after Gregg Popovich was ejected from a game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Spurs assistant Becky Hammon filled in for an ejected Gregg Popovich.
— ESPN (@espn) December 31, 2020
She's believed to be the first woman to act as head coach during an NBA regular-season game. pic.twitter.com/VyQqVNaPhc
Hammon, who joined Popovich’s staff in 2014 and is one of six women who hold an assistant coaching role in the NBA this season, had previously coached at the Summer League level but never in the regular season.
She was promoted to the front of the Spurs’ bench entering the 2018-19 season.
“He officially pointed at me,” Hammon said. “That was it. Said, ‘You’ve got them.’ Obviously, it’s a big deal. It’s a substantial moment.”
Becky Hammon on becoming the first woman to act as head coach during an NBA regular season game: “Obviously it’s a big deal ... it’s a substantial moment”
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 31, 2020
Prior to her coaching career, Hammon played for 16 years in the WNBA, where she was a six-time All-Star.
Spurs' DeJounte Murray and Lakers' LeBron James spoke to the media postgame to express their excitement for Hammon.
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) December 31, 2020
Becky Hammon made history last night.
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 31, 2020
First woman to serve as an NBA head coach 💯 pic.twitter.com/wTl3hbd6v1