Spurs Rally Behind Coach Popovich Amid Health Setback: Team and Fans Await His Return
I’d like to start this week off by wishing Coach Greg Popovich well wishes and a speedy recovery.
Popovich, 75, suffered a health issue before Saturday’s home game with the Minnesota Timberwolves and was not courtside during the matchup. The legendary coach did not travel to California for Monday’s loss to the Clippers 113-104.
Assistant Coach Mitch Johnson has been named Interim Head Coach in Popovich’s absence. Johnson said he talked to Popovich on Sunday night and that the 75-year-old coach is in good spirits. There isn’t a timeline, though, on when the Spurs legend might be back from the yet undisclosed illness.
“I just want to start off by saying that Pop’s impact on our organization from the players that he’s coached and the staff that’s worked with him in the community of San Antonio,” Johnson said, via ESPN. “It’s hard to articulate or put into words, and if I tried it would not do it justice. He’s been tremendous for me personally, and right now his health is the No. 1 priority. We support him in that 100% and I talked to him last night. He’s in good spirits. He’s OK, and we can’t wait to have him back.”, said Johnson prior to Monday’s game in LA.
Popovich is in his 29th season with the Silver and Black, the longest-tenured head coach in the league. He leads the NBA in wins with 1,391 career victories and another 170 postseason wins. He also has five NBA titles; all with the Spurs (‘99, ‘03, ‘05, ‘07, and 2014).
The Team sits at 3-4 and 12th overall in the Western Conference, following wins against Utah on the road and Saturday’s home win vs the Timberwolves. The Silver and Black dropped games to the undefeated Oklahoma City team on the road and most recently Monday’s loss to the Clippers. They are a half game behind Memphis for the 10th spot.
Upcoming Games:
Wed, Nov, 6 @ Houston (4-3) 7pm
ESPN
Thu, Nov 7 vs Portland (3-5) 7pm
Sat, Nov 9 vs Utah (1-6) 4pm
NBATV
Mon, Nov 11 vs Sacramento (4-3) 7pm
