Gregg Popovich, the longtime head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, is set to miss an “indefinite” period as he tends to a health issue – reported to be an illness – suffered on Saturday.

Assistant coach Mitch Johnson stepped in on Saturday to guide the 3-3 Spurs to a 113-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Popovich was planning on coaching Saturday but stepped away just hours before opening tip with what the team announced was an “undisclosed illness.”

Johnson will lead the team for a minimum of two further games, including Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers and Wednesday’s contest against the Houston Rockets. The Mirror has reached out to the Spurs for comment.

Johnson was asked on Saturday postgame when he was informed he was getting the promotion for that night’s contest.

“I’d say last hour, hour and a half,” he answered. “[Popovich’s] not feeling well. This has happened before. and I think everybody’s always got to be ready for the next man up. Sometimes people get sick or don’t feel well or things come up in life….he’s just not feeling well.”

The 75-year-old Popovich is the longest-tenured head coach in the “Big Four” of American sports by a substantial amount. The five-time NBA Champion has held his current position in San Antonio since 1996 – before legend Tim Duncan was even drafted.

Mitch Johnson talks to Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves

Spurs assistant coach Mitch Johnson spearheaded Victor Wembanyama (R) and company to a 113-103 victory on Saturday over the Timberwolves ( 

Image:

Getty Images)

Johnson is one of four San Antonio assistants alongside former 76ers head coach Brett Brown as well as Matthew Nielsen and Mike Noyes.

Veteran point guard Chris Paul was effusive in his praise of the young assistant coach following Saturday’s victory. “Mitch did a great job, man,” Paul admitted.

“I think our whole coaching staff [did]. Things happen within this league all the time and just like with the players, it’s next man. So, shoutout to Mitch; he did a great job tonight.”

The 39-year-old Paul signed a one-year, $11 million contract with the Spurs this offseason to help provide franchise cornerstone Victor Wembanyama with some competent point guard play.

The 12-time NBA All-Star did exactly what was expected of him in Saturday’s win over the Timberwolves, scoring 15 points and dishing out 13 assists as he marshaled the late-game offense.

Wembanyama hasn’t quite exploded this year as many would have hoped. The 20-year-old former first-overall pick is averaging 18.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks in 31.0 minutes through his team’s first six games.