An undisclosed illness has kept San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich away from the team for several days now. There’s now growing concern that things are very serious for the five-time NBA champion.
Appearing on NBA Today, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Popovich is still out indefinitely after suffering a health issue this past weekend. But while we still don’t know exactly what the issue is, Charania said that there is “a great level of concern” over the situation.
“There is a great level of concern around the situation,” he said bluntly, adding that assistant coach Mitch Johnson is expected to continue filling in for Popovich while he recovers.
Fans in the comments could only send Popovich their well-wishes and hope that he recovers soon.
“Never like to see stuff like this in sports. Especially to one of the most successful coaches in basketball. Get well soon Pop!” one user wrote.
“Sending my prayers to Gregg Popovich. One of my favorites in the history of the NBA,” wrote another.
“Yikes. Sending all the best to Pop on whatever he’s dealing with. Sounds serious based on the way Shams framed it,” a third remarked.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 07: Head coach Gregg Popovich of the 2021 USA Basketball Men’s National Team attends a practice at the Mendenhall Center at UNLV as the team gets ready for the Tokyo Olympics on July 7, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
At 75 years of age, Gregg Popovich is not only the oldest head coach in the NBA, but one of the oldest in all of sports. Anything from an illness to an injury takes significantly longer to overcome now than it would have at half of his age.
Popovich is the winningest coach in the regular season in NBA history, with 1,388 career wins in the regular season. He is a three-time NBA Coach of the Year and his five NBA championships are behind only the legendary Red Auerbach and Phil Jackson.
Get well soon, Pop!
