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 is expected to be 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.”
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.
