Gregg Popovich misses fourth straight game with undisclosed health issue as San Antonio Spurs beat Portland Trail Blazers

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich missed his fourth consecutive game on Thursday night due to an undisclosed health issue, as his team secured a 118-105 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Popovich’s absence began around two and a half hours before the Spurs’ game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, when he reportedly became ill. Since then, he has been resting at home, with no clear timeline for his return.

Assistant coach Mitch Johnson has stepped in as the interim head coach in Popovich’s absence. Johnson, who has filled in for Popovich in the past, has now led the Spurs for four consecutive games. In his pre-game comments on Thursday, Johnson was asked if he had any updates on whether Popovich would be able to return this season. “I would say that he’s doing good,” Johnson said. “We’ve been talking. I’ve had my hands full with this and trying to stay above water, so haven’t talked details and I’m not sure about anything.”

Despite Johnson’s assurances, there remains little clarity on the status of Popovich’s health. The Spurs have not provided any further comment on the coach’s condition, and CNN’s inquiries have gone unanswered. This marks the third time Johnson has filled in as interim head coach for Popovich. Previously, Johnson took over for Popovich when he fell ill before a game against the Indiana Pacers in March 2023 and again in 2021 when Popovich attended Tim Duncan’s Hall of Fame induction. Other notable figures who have stepped in for Popovich in the past include Spurs assistant coaches Mike Budenholzer, Becky Hammon, and Brett Brown.

Popovich, 75, is the oldest head coach in NBA history, and his absence marks a rare disruption to his long tenure with the Spurs. In his 29th season as head coach, all of which have been spent with the Spurs, Popovich has accumulated 1,390 regular-season victories—an NBA record. Additionally, he has led the team to five NBA championships and recorded 170 postseason victories, solidifying his legacy as one of the most successful coaches in NBA history.

Despite Popovich’s absence, the Spurs were able to deliver a solid performance against the Trail Blazers. Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, who continues to impress in his rookie season, expressed optimism about Popovich’s recovery, even though the team has not had direct communication with their head coach. “We don’t hear a lot from Pop,” Wembanyama said after the game. “They keep us informed as much as we’re allowed to know. So, I’m not worried about him. I know he’s going to come back soon. We’re not talking to him directly that much.”

The Spurs’ victory over Portland was marked by a balanced scoring effort from the team. Keldon Johnson and Malaki Branham each contributed 17 points, while Zach Collins, Stephon Castle, and Julian Champagnie each added 14 points. Wembanyama, who has quickly become the face of the franchise, chipped in with 12 points, continuing his strong performance early in his NBA career.

On the other side, the Trail Blazers were led by Jerami Grant and Deandre Ayton, who each scored 21 points. Ayton also recorded a double-double, pulling down 10 rebounds in the effort. While the Blazers kept the game competitive, the Spurs’ well-rounded team performance helped them pull away in the second half.

Popovich’s absence has cast a shadow over the Spurs’ recent games, but the team has managed to perform well under the leadership of Johnson. With the Spurs continuing to develop their young talent—particularly Wembanyama—the focus remains on building for the future while hoping for Popovich’s swift recovery. The Spurs’ organization, as well as their fans, are hopeful that the legendary coach will return soon to guide the team as they work through this challenging period.

As of now, the Spurs are handling the situation with patience, relying on their assistant coaching staff to maintain the team’s focus and momentum. However, the team and its fans are eager for Popovich to return to the sideline, where he has been an integral part of the Spurs’ identity for nearly three decades.