Spurs Coach Pop Sidelined By Mysterious Illness In Timberwolves Matchup
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich missed Wednesday night's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to a non-Covid-related illness.
Assistant coach Becky Hammon took over as acting head coach in Popovich's absence, marking the first time a woman has served as head coach of an NBA team in a regular season game.
Details of Popovich's Illness
The exact nature of Popovich's illness has not been disclosed by the Spurs. However, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, it is not believed to be serious and he is expected to return to the team soon.
Spurs' Performance Under Hammon
Despite Popovich's absence, the Spurs put up a strong fight against the Timberwolves, eventually losing by a score of 115-106.
Hammon made history as the first woman to lead an NBA team in a regular season game. While the Spurs ultimately lost, she received praise for her leadership and tactical decisions throughout the game.
Popovich's Return Still Uncertain
As of now, there is no clear timeline for Popovich's return to the Spurs. The team will continue to monitor his condition and provide updates as they become available.
In the meantime, Hammon will remain as acting head coach, leading the Spurs in their upcoming games against the Golden State Warriors and Utah Jazz.