The San Antonio Spurs took down the favored Minnesota Timberwolves in a 113-103 win on Saturday to improve to a 3-3 record at the start of the 2023-24 season. However, they had to do it without their head coach, Gregg Popovich, on the sidelines.
Popovich was forced to miss the Timberwolves game due to illness, with assistant Mitch Johnson taking over head coaching duties in his absence. Johnson is expected to continue performing the role in the near future, as Popovich’s return to the sidelines isn’t immediate.
According to sources close to the organization, Popovich is expected to be absent from the team indefinitely as he focuses on undisclosed health issues.
Johnson should be able to hold down the fort until Popovich’s return, judging by a great performance against the Timberwolves. Besides getting the win, he was also praised by Spurs’ veteran guard Chris Paul after the game.
“Mitch did a great job, man,” Paul told reporters. “I think our whole coaching staff [did]. Things happen within this league all the time, and just like with the players, it’s next man. So, shout out to Mitch; he did a great job tonight.”
The Spurs have been playing better than predicted to start the season and have won their two last games. They are currently sitting eighth in the Western Conference standings.
