It has been nearly two weeks since Gregg Popovich was sidelined indefinitely because of an undisclosed health issue. And the latest update reveals that the veteran head coach suffered a mild stroke. The incident occurred on November 2, right before the Wolves game. Sure enough, his urgent need for medical attention left the Spurs players very nervous. But as Coach Pop eyes a complete recovery, the veteran has kept his young team’s spirits high with a special message.

Addressing Coach Pop’s health, Shams Charania said, “Gregg Popovich is home, and he is expected to make a full recovery from this mild stroke. Obviously, a very serious health situation that he had a couple of weeks ago, something that left a lot of the players traumatic, based on everything that’s happened to Popovich and seeing that in real-time. It was a traumatic moment for them.”

That surely gives a huge sigh of relief to the entire basketball community, especially the Spurs organization. Moreover, Shams also revealed Gregg Popovich’s message to interim coach, Mitch Johnson, and the rest of the team, “Don’t worry about me, focus on the task at hand here in San Antonio. That’s to win and try to compete and when I’m back, I’ll be back. Don’t worry about me.”

Well, no surprises there. Being arguably the greatest head coach of all time, Popovich does not want his health to distract the team from their primary focus. But that’s hard to do when you have had a massive impact on everyone around you.

GM Brian Wright recently revealed the feeling of not having Coach Pop in the locker room, “This is a difficult time for everyone. (Popovich) has been the leader of this organization for the last three decades. When we walk into the building each and every day, we feel (his) presence. Not having him, we feel that void. And we miss him.”

Even rising superstar Victor Wembanyama is trying to live up to Coach Pop’s standard amidst his absence, “Even if he’s not with us right now, we still feel the need to justify what he’s trying to teach us.” But how successful has the team been so far?

Spurs are holding their own while waiting for Gregg Popovich’s return

While everyone waits for Coach Pop to return, the show must still go on. And Shams revealed that Mitch Johnson will continue to be the team’s interim head coach for the “foreseeable extended future.” Moreover, the young coach has done a great job amid adversity, as the Spurs are 3-3 with him as their leader. Even on the night that Gregg Popovich’s health troubles began, Johnson took full control of his emotions and helped his team beat Anthony Edwards and Co.

Sure enough, he has received immense praise from the players, as Chris Paul said, “Mitch has been great, man. I’ve gotten a chance to know Mitch even before I signed here. He’s doing an amazing job, and it’s crazy that he’s in the role that he’s in now because he’s been so communicative anyway.” Hopefully, Mitch Johnson will continue to find ways to get the San Antonio Spurs in the winning column until Gregg Popovich resumes coaching in his 29th NBA season and takes the reins back in his hands.