SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich suffered a "mild stroke" on Nov. 2, the team confirmed Wednesday.
The episode occurred at the Frost Bank Center that day before the Spurs' game against Minnesota, the team said in a news release. Popovich has started a rehabilitation program and is expected to make a full recovery, the team said.
Spurs General Manager Brian Wright said before Wednesday's game against Washington that "there's clearly a void" with Popovich overseeing the team's play, but added that "he's doing well, he's tough and he's a fighter."
"I’m extremely proud of the team, the team being the players, the staff, everybody that’s bonded together through a difficult time. It’s exactly what Coach Pop would want us to do," Wright said. "It's on all of us to play our part, play our role, to continue to lean on each other, support each other. And we look forward to the day when we can welcome him back."
A timeline for Popovich's return to the sidelines has not been determined. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson has been leading the team in Popovich's absence.
“He’s not feeling well. This has happened before. I think everybody’s just always got to be ready for the next man up," Johnson said after Popovich suffered the medical episode. “Sometimes people get sick or don’t feel well, or things come up in life. He’s just not feeling well."
Wright didn't expand on Popovich's emergency beyond what the team said earlier in the day, but did share his gratitude to the team's medical personnel for their work in responding to it.
"I don’t know that there’s another person that means so much to another organization, sports or non-sports. He’s more than a coach," the GM added. "It’s difficult, but they’ve done a phenomenal job of staying focused and trying to stay in the moment and, as Pop would say, pounding the rock.”
Popovich is the NBA’s leader with 1,390 coaching wins and five NBA titles. He is in his 29th season and has won three NBA Coach of the Year awards.
>>WATCH: Brian Wright's full news conference:
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Wright's initial comments
“I’m just gonna start first and foremost. Our thoughts and prayers are with Coach Pop and his family. It’s a difficult time for everyone. Coach Pop has been the leader of this organization for the last three decades. We all have come across or know people that just have a different aura, a different presence about them. Clearly he’s one of those people. When we walk into the building each and every day, we feel that leadership, we feel that presence. So not having him, there’s clearly a void and we miss him.
"At the same time, I’m extremely proud of the team. The team being the players, the staff, everybody that’s bonded together through a difficult time. It’s exactly what Coach Pop would want us to do. And so, it’s on all of us to play our part, play our role, to continue to lean on each other, support each other.
"We look forward to the day when we can welcome him back. But it takes a village and we’re all committed to that. Most important, we’re committed to making sure he has everything he needs and giving him the time and space to continue to recover. We look forward to getting him back.”
On the timing of Wednesday's update
“In these situations, it’s important to have time to understand exactly what’s going on. With time you’re able to speak to things transparently and give an update as to where we are. As we had time to take information in, it was the right time to share with everyone as to where we are and what’s going on. Time allowed that.”
On the medical response on Nov. 2
“I won’t get into details about the medical portion, but clearly we’re extremely thankful for everyone in these situations, in times of medical emergencies. And all of the preparation and effort and thoughtfulness in those moments. We know that’s a precious part of outcomes. We’re thankful for the team and all their hard work.”
On acting head coach Mitch Johnson
“Mitch and the entire staff has done a phenomenal job of continuing forward, continuing to execute on Pop’s vision for the team and how we want to play. And we’ve played well in these moments. (Assistant coach) Brett (Brown), he’s got great corporate knowledge as to what we do, how we do it, why we do it and the standards by which we have to operate by. He’s done a great job of supporting and assisting Mitch.
"They’ve done a great job of continuing to execute on what Pop has asked this team to do from the start of the season until now.”
On the players handling Popovich's absence
“(They’ve handled it) really well, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been hard. I don’t know that there’s another person that means so much to another organization, sports or non-sports.
"He’s more than a coach. When you think about it, he doesn’t sit up here and talk Xs and Os all the time; he’s talking about life and keeping things in the right perspective. And the guys, they feel that. It’s part of their growth and development, especially with the young group. It’s difficult, but they’ve done a phenomenal job of staying focused and trying to stay in the moment and, as Pop would say, pounding the rock.”