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Gregg Popovich will miss Spurs road trip vs. Clippers, Rockets due to illness
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Gregg Popovich will miss Spurs road trip vs. Clippers, Rockets due to illness

Gregg Popovich will not travel for the San Antonio Spurs’ upcoming games against the LA Clippers and Houston Rockets, the team announced Monday, as the coach is dealing with an undisclosed illness.

The Spurs are expected to name assistant Mitch Johnson their interim coach for the foreseeable future in Popovich’s absence, according to ESPN, which reported that Popovich had a “health issue” ahead of Saturday’s win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. He missed that game due to the illness and Johnson replaced him on the bench for the 113–103 win.

Johnson told reporters he heard Popovich was unavailable about two and a half hours before Saturday’s game.

“He’s not feeling well,” Johnson said. “This has happened before. I think everyone just has to always be ready for the next guy. We’ve had it with injuries and sometimes people get sick, don’t feel well or things happen in life. He just doesn’t feel well.”

Spurs guard Chris Paul, who scored 15 points and added 13 assists on Saturday, called Johnson a “great job” after the latest win and said: “Things happen all the time in this league and just like with the players, it’s next time.” man. So shoutout to Mitch, he did a great job tonight.”

The 75-year-old Popovich is in his 29th season with the Spurs. The five-time NBA champion coach leads the league with 1,391 regular season wins.

The Spurs are 3-3 and travel to the Clippers to play the Rockets on Monday at 10:30 PM ET and Wednesday at 8 PM ET. They host the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday at 8 PM ET.

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(Photo: Alonzo Adams/USA Today)