Gregg Popovich, the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, was absent from the sidelines during Saturday’s matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to an unspecified illness. The team announced on Monday that he will be out for at least the next two games.

The Spurs managed a 113-103 win over the Timberwolves without Popovich, with assistant coach Mitch Johnson stepping in to lead the team.

At 75 years old, Popovich did not travel to Los Angeles for the Spurs’ game against the Clippers scheduled for Monday. Johnson is set to coach both that game and the one against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

According to ESPN, Popovich experienced a “health issue” prior to the Timberwolves game. Johnson revealed he learned approximately two-and-a-half hours before tip-off that Popovich would not be coaching.

“Big props to Mitch, he did an excellent job tonight,” commented Spurs guard Chris Paul following the win over Minnesota.

Johnson, aged 37, has spent nine seasons with the Spurs and is regarded as one of the top young assistant coaches in the NBA, having played collegiate basketball at Stanford.

Popovich currently holds the record for the most wins by a coach in NBA history, amassing 1,391 victories over more than 28 seasons with the Spurs. He overtook Don Nelson for the record in 2022 and is a three-time NBA Coach of the Year as well as a five-time championship coach.