Becky Hammon has been making history in the NBA for years. She became the first full-time female assistant coach in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014 as well as the first female head coach in the NBA Summer League. Wednesday night, Hammon chipped away at more barriers when she became the first woman serving as head coach during an NBA game.
Hammon, who has been with the Spurs for seven years, assumed head coaching duties after Gregg Popovich was ejected in the second quarter of the Spurs eventual 121-107 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
“He officially pointed at me. That was it. … That was it,” Hammon said of getting the nod. “Said, ‘You got ’em,’ and that was it. Very Pop-like.”
Becky Hammon took over head coaching duties for the Spurs after Pop was ejected.
She is the first woman to serve as head coach in an NBA game. pic.twitter.com/Cp8r0Sj0w3
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) December 31, 2020
After the game, Hammon spoke about the historic nature of the moment.
“Obviously, it’s a big deal. It’s a substantial moment. I’ve been a part of this organization, I got traded here in 2007, so I’ve been in San Antonio and part of the Spurs and sports organization with the Stars and everything for 13 years. So I have a lot of time invested, and they have a lot of time invested in me, in building me and getting me better.”
The basketball world congratulated Hammon on her barrier breaking night.
Big time @BeckyHammon 🙌🏽 https://t.co/cKyw5fAGAX
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) December 31, 2020
salute becky hammon 🙏🏽🖤 @BeckyHammon
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) December 31, 2020
Becky Hammon has earned the respect of DeMar DeRozan and the rest of the Spurs 💯 pic.twitter.com/s3VEH6iPoE
— Spurs Nation (@SpursNationCP) December 31, 2020
LeBron James on Spurs' Becky Hammon making NBA history: pic.twitter.com/og30pkKuCW
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) December 31, 2020
Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready! @BeckyHammon you go girl!!! https://t.co/5I65vUCajV
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) December 31, 2020
