Becky Hammon made NBA history when the assistant coach took over the San Antonio Spurs in the second quarter after coach Gregg Popovich was ejected in a 121-107 loss to LeBron James and the Lakers on Wednesday night.

LeBron James, who was celebrating his 36th birthday said: “Obviously she’s been paying her dues over the last few years and Coach Pop has given her the opportunity. … It’s a beautiful thing just to hear her barking out calls, barking out sets. She’s very passionate about the game. Congrats to her and congrats for our league.”

A historic night for a repeated history maker, Hammon was also the first full-time female assistant coach in league history.

Speaking after the game Hammon said: “(I was) trying to get the guys in the right spots, trying to get them motivated. Obviously, it’s a learning situation for all of us, but I would have loved to have walked out there with a win with the guys.”