SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs have announced that their head coach Gregg Popovich had a minor stroke earlier this month.
The team says Coach Pop is expected to make a full recovery, and they said that it happened at the Frost Bank Center before a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Nov. 2.
At Wednesday night's game against the Washington Wizards -- where Victor Wembanyama notably had his first career 50-point game -- fans' emotions were running a little higher than normal for a game night. Everybody's minds were on the health of Coach Pop.
"I'm hoping he makes a quick recovery [...] So hopefully he'll be on his way, like I said to be back soon," one fan said.
"I hope that he gets better faster and that his return is safe, and he comes back soon," a younger fan said.
"Coach Pop is the Spurs, just period," another fan said.
"It's not tragic, but it's something we're really concerned about, and the team and the fans are really behind him. Wish him well, hope he does get better soon," another fan said.
No timetable has been set for Coach Pop's return, but fans think that they'll be seeing he'll be back on the sidelines sooner rather than later.
"We are praying for him and hoping to see him soon," a fan said.
"I've been a Spurs fan for over 20 years," said another fan. "So he means everything to the Spurs."
"He's the greatest. Pop is a great coach. Can't go nowhere without him and he'll come back and take us to another championship."