The San Antonio Spurs are second in the NBA's Western Conference at 53-9 and have already locked up a post-season berth with a couple more months to go before the playoffs even start. What's more, the Golden State Warriors' unexpected loss to the last place Los Angeles Lakers last night put the Spurs just 2.5 games behind in the race for the West's top overall seed. As you can see, things are really starting to heat up.
But just as the Spurs appear to be cresting - they've won eight straight games and are 9-1 in their last 10 - a speed bump appears in the middle of the road.
Head coach Gregg Popovich will sadly miss the team's next two games so he can attend to a family medical situation, a team spokesman announced.
San Antonio will play the Indiana Pacers (33-30) on the road Monday night with Ettore Messina taking over as head coach while Popovich is out. Tuesday will see the road trip continue with a matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves (20-43). Messina is a four-time Euroleague champion as a coach and a two-time Euroleague Coach of the Year, so San Antonio is in capable hands.
The Spurs have not lost a game in Indianapolis since the 2006-07 season, marking seven straight victories against the Pacers. Popovich is expected to return to the team in time for Thursday's game against the Chicago Bulls at the AT&T Center.
The family medical situation does not appear to be an emergency nor does Popovich or anyone in his family appear to have any major issues at this time.
The Spurs rank No. 7 in the NBA in points per game (104.7) and No. 1 in points per game allowed (92.2).
