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Cleveland Cavaliers SF LeBron James sends heartfelt message to Gregg Popovich after wife's passing

Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James sent a heartfelt message to San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich after learning of his wife's passing.
Credit: David Richard
Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James sent a heartfelt message to San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich after learning of his wife's passing.

CLEVELAND -- LeBron James sent out well wishes to San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich in the moments following the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 100-97 win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena Wednesday night.

In the NBA on TNT postgame interview, James learned of the news from TNT sideline reporter Allie LaForce, and while struggling to find words, sent his support and thoughts to Popovich, who lost his wife of 40 years, Erin, who dealt with an illness “over an extended period of time,” according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

“Obviously, I’m a huge Pop fan,” an emotional James said.

“I love Pop. That’s such a tragedy, and my best wishes go out to Pop and his family. I know that’s devastating news, and holy…That’s just a lot.”

"That's such a tragedy. My best wishes go out to Pop and his family." - @KingJames on the passing of Erin Popovich pic.twitter.com/83dc09urac

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 19, 2018

James said news like the passing of Erin Popovich gives everyone associated with the NBA reason to pause and take stock of what’s important in life.

“The NBA family, we all stick together,” James continued. “I know we compete every night, but when something like this happens, it puts everything in perspective.

“I send my well wishes and my prayers up to the heavens above. I know ‘The Man Above’ never makes a mistake, even when you sometimes have to ask ‘Why?’ That’s just terrible news. Best of luck to Pop and everybody in San Antonio, the whole Spurs family. That’s all I can say.”

Following the post-game interview with LaForce, many took to social media to criticize the way she delivered the tragic news to James, who seemed visibly taken aback by her words.

However, James posted to his video platform UNINTERRUPTED to clarify the event, saying he did in fact know the question was coming.

Watch his account of what happened below.

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