Gregg Popovich stepping away from Spurs indefinitely due to health issue
Apr 10, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich looks on during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is stepping away from the team for an indefinite period of time as he deals with a health issue.
Popovich did not coach the Spurs in Saturday night’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The team said the 75-year-old was feeling under the weather, so assistant coach Mitch Johnson stepped in.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the health issue that arose on Saturday will result in Popovich being away from the Spurs for an indefinite period. Johnson will serve as head coach in the interim.
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich suffered a health issue before Saturday’s game and assistant Mitch Johnson is expected to be the interim head coach for indefinite period, including Monday vs. Clippers and Wednesday vs. Rockets, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/qqdDtyc2GJ
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 4, 2024
Popovich has been the head coach of the Spurs since 1996. He is the oldest head coach in the NBA. Popovich became the oldest head coach in league history when he was just shy of his 72nd birthday on opening night of the 2020-21 season.
Popovich has won five championships with the Spurs and is the winningest coach in NBA history with 1,390 victories. There has been speculation for years that he could retire, with potential replacements even being floated.
It is unclear how long Popovich will be out, but the Spurs have confirmed that he will not travel with the team for Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers or Wednesday’s game against the Houston Rockets.
