Column: Becky Hammon’s historic moment serving as Spurs head coach was no gimmick

San Antonio Spurs assistant Becky Hammon took over head coaching duties after Gregg Popovich was ejected against the Lakers on Wednesday at AT&T Center. Typically brusque, he simply pointed at her and barked, “You got ’em.” And so it was that Hammon, a gym rat who paid her dues as a player in college, during a stellar WNBA career and at the international level and is a valued assistant with the Spurs, became the first woman to coach an NBA team in a regular-season game. “She’s been putting in the work, and any time you put in the work you get rewarded with opportunities,” LeBron James said after the Lakers’ 121-107 victory over the Spurs at AT&T Center. It’s been great just having her.” DeMar DeRozan receives instruction from San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon, who was filling for an ejected Gregg Popvich against the Lakers on Dec. 30. 2020 milestones for women in men’s sports leagues First woman to coach an NBA team in a regular-season game — Becky Hammon First female general manager in a major North American sports league — Kim Ng First woman to play in a Power Five conference football game — Sarah Fuller First Black female coach in professional baseball — Bianca Smith First Black female professional scout in the NHL — Blake Bolden First female coach on a major league staff — Alyssa Nakken First woman as regular on-air member of NFL radio booth — Julie Donaldson First woman to own a professional sports league — Dany Garcia