San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich will reportedly be sidelined indefinitely after suffering a health issue over the weekend, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Assistant Mitch Johnson will serve as the interim head coach while Popovich is away.
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich suffered a health problem before Saturday’s game and assistant Mitch Johnson is expected to be the interim head coach for an indefinite period, including Monday against the Clippers and Wednesday against the Rockets, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/qqdDtyc2GJ
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) 4 November 2024
The health issue, which was not disclosed, came to light before the Spurs faced the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. The team announced Popovich, 75, would not be able to coach the game and Johnson would handle head coaching duties.
Johnson, who was notified two and a half hours before game time that he would act as head coach, told the media that Popovich was “just not feeling well.” The Spurs defeated the Wolves, 113-103, and Johnson’s performance on the sideline earned a rave review from veteran Chris Paul.
“Mitch did a great job, man,” Paul said after Saturday’s win. “I think our whole coaching staff [did]. Things happen within this league all the time and just like with the players, it’s next man up. So, shout out to Mitch, he did a great job tonight.”
Johnson also led the Spurs on Monday night against the Los Angeles Clippers in Southern California, and addressed Popovich’s absence before the game.
“I just want to start by saying that Pop’s impact on our organization from the players he’s coached and the staff that’s worked with him in the San Antonio community,” Johnson said, via ESPN. “It’s hard to say or put into words, and if I tried, it wouldn’t do it justice. He’s been huge for me personally, and now his health is the first priority. We support him in that 100% and I spoke to him last night He’s in good spirits, and we can’t wait to have him back.”
Popovich is in his 29th season with the Spurs, the longest-tenured head coach in the league. He leads the NBA in wins with 1,391 career wins and an additional 170 postseason victories. He also coached five teams to NBA titles.
The Spurs will face the Houston Rockets next Wednesday night before returning to San Antonio for a five-game homestand. Although it will feel like anything but from the outside, Johnson insists it is “regularly scheduled programming” for the team.
“Just stay consistent with the messaging that we’ve had,” he said via ESPN. “He does so much empowerment and delegation when he’s here. In a weird way it doesn’t feel like I have to do anything super weird. We have [assistants] Brett Brown, Matt Nielsen, who were on the bench with me. We have a great staff and people who all have voices that Popo empowers to coach and lead. So, I think it’s just keep doing what we’re doing. Obviously, these are big shoes to fill and we will do it as a group. The guys have been great, and the players have stepped up in that regard as well.”
