Revealing Bobo's indefinite absence: his body is fine and he just needs to rest Paul Wemban's support for the interim coach

On November 5, Beijing time, Spurs coach Popovich had health problems before the game against the Timberwolves, and assistant coach Mitch Johnson will serve as the interim head coach of the Spurs indefinitely. The Spurs have yet to reveal any details about Popovich's condition, but league sources say the coach, who has won the most games in NBA history, is "OK" and "just needs to rest."

The Spurs officially announced that the 75-year-old Popovich will not participate in the team's two road trips (against the Clippers and Rockets, respectively). A team spokesperson announced to reporters before the game against the Timberwolves that Popovich was "unwell." Mitch Johnson was told Popovich was unavailable about two and a half hours before that game started, and Johnson replaced Popovich.

"He didn't feel very good," Johnson told reporters before the game. "This has happened before. I think everybody has to be ready to play at all times. We're fed up with injuries, sometimes people get sick or don't feel well, or something happens in life. He just didn't feel good. ”

Popovich looked fit when the Spurs beat the Jazz before, and Mitch Johnson is the son of former Seattle SuperSonics forward John Johnson, who joined the Spurs in 2016. After three years with the Austin Spurs, he was promoted to a member of Popovich's coaching staff in 2019.

"Mitch [Johnson] did a great job," point guard Paul said after the Spurs beat the Timberwolves 113-103. "There's always something going on in this league where it's like a player, 'the next guy to play'. So kudos to Mickey. ”

Wembanyama also agreed with Paul, noting that Johnson brought a softer feel to the bench. "Of course it's not the same style with Popovich," Wembanyama said, "but it's also a good performance. ”

This is the third time Johnson has replaced Popovich. The first was in May 2021, when Popovich took time off work to attend Tim Duncan's Hall of Fame induction ceremony. On the day, the Spurs lost to the Suns by a score of 103-140. The second time was in March 2023, when Popovich was out due to illness, and Johnson led the team to a 110-99 victory over the Pacers.

Popovich also missed a match in November 2014, but the club did not give a reason for his absence. Former Spurs coach Larry Brown later revealed to The San Antonio Express that Popovich's heart condition was similar to the atrial fibrillation experienced by former Spurs player Fabricio Oberto. Brown said Popovich underwent surgery after having a seizure on the European preseason tour.

That seizure eventually led to Popovich missing two games in late November 2014 due to a second surgery. "I really believed he was retiring," Brown said.

Popovich has been head coach of the Spurs for 29 seasons and is the longest-serving active coach of the four major professional sports leagues in North America. In 2020, he became the oldest coach in NBA history to open a game, when he was 72 years old.

On April 18, 2018, Popovich's wife, Irene, died at the age of 67 after a long battle with respiratory diseases. In July 2023, Popovich signed a five-year, $80 million contract extension with the Spurs, increasing his annual salary to $16 million, making him the highest-paid NBA coach at the time.

The Air Force Academy graduate and former U.S. Air Force officer took over as head coach of the Spurs in December 1996, leading the team to 1,391 wins and five NBA championships. With a playoff record of 170 wins and 114 losses, he ranks third on the NBA playoff wins list, behind Phil Jackson (229 wins) and Pat Riley (171 wins).