What does Gregg Popovich's absence mean for the Spurs? - ESPN

The San Antonio Spurs announced Wednesday that Hall of Fame coach Gregg Popovich suffered a mild stroke on Nov. 2 at Frost Bank Center and remains out indefinitely.

Popovich is expected to make a full recovery, according to the team, and has already commenced a rehabilitation program.

A model of consistency in Popovich's 29 seasons, San Antonio finds itself in unfamiliar territory as the coach's absences over the last six games marks the most consecutive outings he's missed in the regular season or the playoffs.

Mitch Johnson, 37, has served as the Spurs' acting head coach throughout Popovich's absence. Johnson will coach the Spurs for the foreseeable extended future, a source told ESPN's Shams Charania. From there, though, it's unclear whether San Antonio has a definitive plan to replace Popovich, should he choose to retire.

«It's obviously a tough situation to deal with,» said Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown, who worked under Popovich for three years (2000-03) as an assistant in San Antonio. «I'm sure everybody is in touch with him one way or another, and I just continue to hope for the best. It sounds like he is going to be OK.»

Here's the latest the latest on Popovich and the Spurs:

The statement the Spurs released Wednesday said «At this point, a timeline for his return to the sidelines has not been determined.»

The fact Johnson started his media availability on Nov. 4 with a statement on Popovich's impact on the franchise was telling, as was Chris Paul's admission that the team still hasn't spoken with the coach.

«I haven't, and don't think any of the guys on the team have,» Paul said. «Obviously, we wanted to. We're trying to give him space, and trying to make sure we can control what we can control.»

Johnson