San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich will be sidelined indefinitely as he recovers from an illness.
The Spurs announced that Popovich did not travel with the team to Los Angeles, where they will face the Clippers on Monday night, and Houston, where they will face the Rockets on Wednesday. The Spurs will then host the Portland Trail Blazers at home on Thursday.
Mitch Johnson will serve as interim head coach during Popovich’s absence.
Johnson learned about two and a half hours before kickoff of Saturday night’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves that Popovich, who is 75, would be out due to illness.
“He’s not feeling very well,” Johnson admitted. This isn’t the first time this has happened. I believe everyone must be ready to take over. Whether it’s because of injuries, illnesses or just the things that sometimes happen in life. He doesn’t feel very well. »
This is also the third time that Johnson has obtained the position of interim head coach, in the absence of Popovich.
Popovich leads NBA coaches in wins (1,390) in addition to 170 in the playoffs and has won five championships. He is spending his 29th season at the helm of the team.
