Spurs Coach Popovich on Celtics: 'It's a Hell of a Team'

After a blowout win to the Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich offered praise for the Eastern Conference leaders.

The San Antonio Spurs ended 2023 in losing fashion, getting blown out by the Boston Celtics 134-101. Boston has the best record in the league, and the Spurs are the second-worst team in the NBA, so it comes as no surprise that Boston was not challenged.

By his standards, Victor Wembanyama had an off night, posting 21 points, seven rebounds, and only one block. He was eager to shoot from deep, making three of his eight attempts, the second most of his career. Devin Vassell joined Wembanyama in scoring more than 20 points, but it was no match for the Celtics, who have five All-Stars on the roster (Tatum, Brown, Porzingis, Horford, and Holiday) and one more in the making in former Spur Derrick White.

Dec 31, 2023; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) dribbles the ball against San Antonio Spurs guard Tre Jones (33) in the first half at Frost Bank Center / © Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

The Spurs failed to shoot well, going 27 percent from deep on 45 attempts, and they lost the turnover battle. However, after the game, Gregg Popovich made it clear that Boston is simply the better team. 

"They (Boston) are a championship-caliber team." Coach Pop said. "That's what they are out there for. That's their goal. They proved it once again. It's a hell of a team. Joe (Mazulla) does a great job with them. That's a tough challenge for our group at this particular time. The effort was there. It helps to make shots and we didn't."

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The Spurs did show effort, but the theme of this season has been experimenting and development. Boston is the odds-on favorite (+350) to win the NBA Finals according to SI Sportsbook, so the Spurs and Celtics are simply playing different games.