Some clarity has been provided on San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich’s absence, with there being a ‘great level of concern around the situation’ involving the health of the 75-year-old.
Little precise details are known about Popovich’s time away from the team other than that he suffered a ‘serious health issue’ before the Spurs game on Saturday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Popovich also missed Monday night’s game against the Clippers and there currently is not a return date set for him, per ESPN.
Spurs assistant coach Mitch Johnson is leading the team on an interim basis, with no one outright stating Popovich is done coaching.
Yet, the statements coming from San Antonio paint a picture that sees him being away from the bench for an indefinite period.
Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich will be away from the team for an indefinite period
Popovich is dealing with a ‘serious issue’ and there is a ‘great level of concern’ for him
‘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 on Monday.
‘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 percent and I talked to him last night. He’s in good spirits. He’s OK, and we can’t wait to have him back.’
Popovich is the longest tenured coach in American sports, in the middle of his 29th season leading the Spurs.
Popovich’s retirement has been rumored for years as he increases with age, and only got louder with the team’s 22-60 record each of the last two seasons.
Yet, San Antonio has had an early stronger start to this season above that trend at 3-4.
Now, the Spurs will be without Popovich for what seems like the longest period in three decades.
