This announcement was made as the team embarked on their current road trip, which includes games against the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday and the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. The Spurs are set to return home to face the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday.

During Popovich's absence, assistant coach Mitch Johnson will step in as the interim head coach. Johnson was informed that he would take over the role just a few hours before the team’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, due to Popovich's unspecified illness.

"He's not feeling well," Johnson commented, adding that such situations are not new. "I think everybody's just always got to be ready for the next man up. We've had it with injuries, and sometimes people get sick or don't feel well or things come up in life. He's just not feeling well."

This marks the third occasion where Johnson has had to fill in for Popovich. Over the past five seasons, former assistant coaches Tim Duncan and Becky Hammon have also stepped in due to Popovich's illnesses or medical procedures. Despite their leader's absence, the Spurs managed to secure a 113-103 victory over the Timberwolves on Saturday.

Popovich holds the record for the most career wins in NBA history, with 1,390 victories and an additional 170 postseason wins. He has led the Spurs to five NBA titles over his remarkable 29-season tenure with the team.