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NBA world pays tribute to Gregg Popovich's wife, Erin, following death

LeBron James, Steve Nash, Kevin Durant, Aaron Gordon, and more NBA players and coaches are sending their support to the Popovich family.
Credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during Game Two of the NBA Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on May 16, 2017 in Oakland, California.

Immediately after the San Antonio Spurs announced that Erin Popovich, the wife of head coach Gregg Popovich, had passed away on Wednesday, the support from the NBA world began to pour in.

Kevin Durant, whose Golden State Warriors are up 2-0 in their first-round playoff series with the Spurs, was left speechless upon hearing the news.

"Seriously? Man. Prayers and condolences go out to his family," Durant told reporters in San Antonio in an exchange that was captured on video. "Damn. I don't even know what to say, man."

LeBron James, who was playing in Game 2 of his Cleveland Cavaliers' first-round series against the Indiana Pacers at the time of the announcement, was visibly devastated when he was informed during his postgame interview on TNT.

"Obviously, I'm a huge Pop fan. I love Pop. That's such a tragedy," James said. "My best wishes go out to Pop and his family. That's devastating news. Holy β€” um, it's just a lot. The NBA family, we all stick together. I know we compete every night, but something like this happens, it puts everything in perspective."

Future Hall of Famer Steve Nash tweeted: "Knowing Pop, it’s fair to assume Erin Popovich was an absolute legend. My deepest sympathies to Pop and his daughters."

Tiago Splitter, who won a championship under Popovich in 2014, tweeted: "My condolences and prayers to Pop’s family! Rest In Peace Erin."

Erin and Gregg were married for four decades and have two children and two grandchildren. The circumstances surrounding her death were not immediately known.

Additional messages sent to Popovich and his family on social media are below:

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