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Spurs nuns, explained: How group of Salesian Sisters became San Antonio's biggest fans during playoff run originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Beating the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder may require a little help from the lord.
The San Antonio Spurs have one of the NBA's all-time unique talents on their side in Victor Wembanyama, but that isn't necessarily enough to win the West and reach the NBA Finals. As the Spurs look for extra help, they are leaning on support from Salesian nuns.
The nuns appeared courtside before Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, making the trip to the Frost Bank Center to try to bring some good vibes to the Spurs after back-to-back losses.
Here's what you need to know about the Spurs' courtside nuns and how they became San Antonio's biggest fans.
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Spurs nuns, explained
Nuns from the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco in San Antonio went viral after they were filmed watching the Spurs face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the playoffs, all decked out in team gear.
Sr. Bernadette Mota of St. John Bosco spoke with Sojourner, telling the magazine that the Spurs craze among the nuns began in the 2000s.
"It started about 20 years ago," Mota said. "We had a couple elder sisters at our provincial house, our retirement house for our sisters who need assisted living. Some of them were born and raised in San Antonio, and anytime there was a game on they would watch it. And they would get very irritated when the game had to be turned off because it was bedtime."
The mission of the Salesian order in the Catholic faith is to connect with and educate young people. Mota explained that the Salesian Sisters view sports as a way to do just that.
"We like watching sports because our mission is with young people and so in order to connect with the youth we need to know what they like," Mota told Sojourner. "Then we can converse with them and introduce them to who we like: Jesus."
"8-10" nuns regularly watch games together, provided they aren't on too late, Mota said.
Despite going viral in 2026, the Spurs have long been familiar with the Salesian Sisters through legendary coach Gregg Popovich.
"In the past, the sisters who were big die-hard fans, one of them, who has since passed away, was able to build a connection with coach Gregg Popovich," Mota said. "Him and his wife came and visited the convent a couple times just to show their appreciation."
MORE:Where is Gregg Popovich now?
While their budget didn't allow them to attend a game during the regular season, the nuns were given tickets to Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals and
The Salesian Sisters even gave a pregame blessing to reserve big man Luke Kornet, who is Catholic.
Here are more details on the Spurs' nuns.
MORE: Explaining Victor Wembanyama's "ethical basketball" comments
Where are the Spurs' nuns from?
The Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco are a worldwide institution, but the passionate Spurs fans among them are located in a convent right in San Antonio just to the west of downtown.
It was only a short drive over for the group of nuns when they were invited to Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, and it's entirely possible it won't be their last game of the playoffs if the Spurs find them to be bringers of some divine luck.
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