‘Great level of concern’ for Gregg Popovich after health scare

Gregg Popovich suffered a “serious wellness issue” and needed aesculapian attraction earlier nan Spurs’ Saturday nighttime crippled against nan Timberwolves, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. 

Charania added that “there is simply a awesome level of interest astir nan situation” from those surrounding Popovich and nan Spurs.

Popovich, 75, has missed nan Spurs’ past 2 games and is expected to beryllium retired indefinitely. 

“It is still uncertain erstwhile he will make it backmost connected nan floor, connected nan sideline, for nan team,” Charania said during an quality connected “NBA Today.”

Head coach Gregg Popovich of nan San Antonio Spurs looks connected during nan crippled against nan Miami Heat during an NBA preseason crippled connected October 15, 2024 astatine Kaseya Center successful Miami, Florida. NBAE via Getty Images

He is astatine location and resting, per ESPN. 

Spurs adjunct Mitch Johnson is filling successful arsenic San Antonio’s interim caput coach successful Popvich’s absence. 

The squad is disconnected to a 3-4 start.

“He’s not emotion well,” Johnson said aft Saturday’s game. “This has happened before. I deliberation everybody’s conscionable ever sewage to beryllium fresh for nan adjacent man up. We’ve had it pinch injuries and sometimes group get sick aliases don’t consciousness good aliases things travel up successful life. He’s conscionable not emotion well.”

On Monday, Johnson said Popovich told him connected Sunday that “he’s successful bully spirits.”

“Obviously, nan circumstances are unique,” Johnson said. “But arsenic overmuch continuity and familiarity we tin person I deliberation is what we’re looking for. That’s what we cognize Pop would want. He said he wants america to do it. We person talked and thing changes.”

Popovich has won 5 NBA titles pinch San Antonio and was named NBA Coach of nan Year successful 2003, 2012 and 2014.

Spurs defender Chris Paul has a connection pinch coach Gregg Popovich, during nan 2nd half of an NBA hoops crippled against nan Utah Jazz, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, AP

He is nan NBA’s all-time winningest coach pinch 1,390 regular play victories and 170 postseason wins. 

In his 29th play arsenic caput coach of nan Spurs, Popovich is nan longest-tenured caput coach successful American master sports.