Dallas Mavericks

Popovich rips team's 'awful, pathetic' performance vs. Mavericks

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich ripped his team after Monday's game against the Dallas Mavericks, saying the team's performance was "pathetic" and the Mavericks deserved to win.

The Spurs won the game 96–91 behind a 24-point, nine rebound performance from forward Kawhi Leonard. The victory was the Spurs sixth straight and Popovich's 1,100th career win.

Dallas played without forward Dirk Nowitzki (strained right Achilles), guard Deron Williams (strained left calf) and guard J.J Barea (strained left calf).

At 2–11, Dallas is off to its worst start since the 1993-1994 season.

"That was a pathetic performance on the part of the Spurs," Popovich said, via the San Antonio Express-News.

"You know, they had some guys out, we had some guys out, but they had a lot more out than we did," Popovich added. "I thought we showed a lack of humility, a lack of respect for the opponent, a very pathetic performance at both ends of the court, both in execution and in grunt, in fiber, in desire. It was an awful performance. Oh, and they deserved to win the basketball game, I forgot to say that."

Following a slow start to the season, the Spurs (11–3) now have the third-best record in the Western Conference.

- Scooby Axson

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