Spurs ‘to play hard and compete’ for Popovich amid coach’s illness

Expect the Spurs “to play hard and compete” for Gregg Popovich, as the coach’s undisclosed illness forced him to go on indefinite leave.

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San Antonio point guard Chris Paul, left in white jersey, and coach Gregg Popovich, right in black shirt, discuss strategies at a recent game. Expect the Spurs "to play hard and compete" for Gregg Popovich, as the coach's undisclosed illness forced him to go on indefinite leave.

SPURS ‘TO PLAY HARD AND COMPETE’ FOR POP, PAUL ASSURES

Expect the Spurs “to play hard and compete” for Pop, Chris Paul assures.

Furthermore, San Antonio wanted “to play hard and compete for Pop because he set a standard,” the veteran point guard said.

“So that’s the thing that we want to try to focus on right now is going out there and playing,” Paul said.

“Because we know if we don’t defend, we know we are going to hear about it,” he added.

Moreover, Popovich had an undisclosed health issue on Saturday, just before the Spurs faced the Minnesota Timberwolves.

POP ‘IN GOOD SPIRITS,’ SAYS INTERIM COACH MITCH JOHNSON

Moreover, Pop was “in good spirits,” says lead assistant Mitch Johnson, who took over as interim coach in the last two games.

Furthermore, Johnson “can’t wait” to have Popovich back after both talked on Sunday night.

Johnson steered San Antonio to a 113-103 win over the Wolves but absorbed a 104-113 loss at the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday.

Sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania that Popovich is also likely to miss the Spurs’ next game, Wednesday’s matchup against the Houston Rockets.

“We support him (Popovich) in that 100 percent and I talked to him last night. He’s OK, and we can’t wait to have him back,” Johnson said.

CLIPPERS COACH LUE SAYS POP MEANS ‘SO MUCH TO OUR GAME,’ WISHES SPEEDY RECOVERY

Furthermore, Los Angeles Clippers coach Ty Lue says Popovich means “so much to our game.”

Moreover, Lue said prayers for the four-time Spurs champion coach.

“Pop’s been so much to our game, to our coaches. He speaks out on all the politics,” Lue said.

“He’s always got our back as well as the players. Hopefully, he has a speedy recovery,” he added.

Paul disclosed that none of the players have spoken to Popovich since his health issue.

He said the team assured the coach to “give him his space.”