Reporter shares update on Gregg Popovich’s health issue

Feb 8, 2020; Sacramento, California, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich on the sideline against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

A fairly positive update is emerging on the nature of the health issue that Gregg Popovich is dealing with.

The San Antonio Spurs announced on Monday their longtime head coach Popovich is stepping away from the team indefinitely due to health reasons. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson will be serving as the Spurs’ interim coach in the meantime.

Popovich reportedly suffered the health issue before Saturday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves and did not coach that day. He will also not be making the trip with the team for road games against the LA Clippers on Monday and against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

Later in the day Monday though, Tom Osborn of the San Antonio Express-News shared an important update. Osborn reports that Popovich is doing “OK” but “just needs rest.”

Set to turn 76 years old in January, Popovich is both the oldest head coach in the league right now as well as the oldest head coach in NBA history (surpassing Hubie Brown, who coached through age 71, in the 2020-21 season). Popovich has served in his position with the Spurs since 1996.

Back in 2015, Popovich reportedly came close to retiring due to health complications involving his heart. He has been doing well healthwise ever since then though, and it is another positive development that his current health issue seems to only be a matter of needing some rest.