LOL Gregg Popovich got ejected 63 seconds into a game

We have that and more in Thursday’s NBA newsletter.

Gregg Popovich isn’t shy about disagreeing vociferouly with referees. In fact, on Sunday Popovich got himself ejected with a nice double technical in a game against the Kings. But in some sort of apparent load management program for coaches, Popovich found himself ejected in record time on Wednesday night.

Refs ejected Popovich for what appeared to be rather mild (for Popovich) debate 63 seconds into the Spurs’ game against Denver.

Yes, one minute and three seconds into the game, Pop was gone. Incredible.

There’s little doubt that Popovich’s reputation for arguing and his very recent (and probably deserved) ejection from Sunday weighed in here. Refs have been quicker with the trigger with the Warriors as the season has gone on, and it appears that shorter rope also applies to Pop. Not great as the playoffs are about to begin!

But Popovich was in good enough spirits after the Spurs’ loss to ambush Michael Malone’s post-game press conference for jokes and mirth.

It’s look like he’s playing a little ... Good Pop, Bad Pop.

Scores

Pacers 108, Pistons 89
Knicks 100, Magic 114
Bulls 115, Wizards 114
Sixers 122, Hawks 130
Raptors 115, Nets 105
Celtics 112, Heat 102
Hornets 115, Pelicans 109
Timberwolves 110, Mavericks 108
Spurs 85, Nuggets 113
Jazz 118, Suns 97
Grizzlies 89, Blazers 116
Rockets 135, Clippers 103

Schedule

All times Eastern. Games on League Pass unless otherwise noted.

Bucks at Sixers, 8, TNT
Cavaliers at Kings, 10
Warriors at Lakers, 10:30, TNT

Links

Zach Lowe on the bench duo of Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell. It includes a quote in which Lou, 32, explains that he doesn’t always invite young players out with him on the road because he’s not sure they can party like him and still be game-ready. Lou forever.

Over the course of the season, Trae Young has grown exactly how the Hawks hoped.

Matt Moore makes the MVP case for James Harden.

Chris Ballard on how Mike Budenholzer and crew helped Giannis Antetokounmpo unlock his full potential.

Howard Beck on the Lakers and Knicks’ free agent battle brewing this summer.

Bruce Hornsby confirms -- almost abashedly! -- the legend that he beat a young Allen Iverson in a pickup game shortly after helping get him released from jail.

Ricky O’Donnell ranks the eight best NBA prospects in the Final Four.

The oral history of Dirk Nowitzki’s magical 1998 Hoop Summit performance.

And finally: Corey Brewer apparently had some role in convincing Paul George that the Lakers were so dysfunctional that he should just stay in Oklahoma City. Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance couldn’t do this solid for Cleveland by laying out the case to LeBron last season, huh?

Be excellent to each other.