Southwest notes: Popovich, Johnson, Mavs, Kennard, Jenkins

With Gregg Popovich away from Spurs for health reasons, reporting on Monday indicated the head coach is “OK” and “just needs some rest,” and acting head coach Mitch Johnson later told the media that Popovich is “in good spirits.” Still, Shams Charania of ESPN and Mike Finger of The San Antonio Express-News suggested Tuesday that Popovich’s health issue should not be downplayed.

Appearing on NBA Today (Twitter video link), Charania described the issue as “serious,” explaining that Popovich required medical attention in San Antonio on Saturday, adding that there is “a great deal of concern about the situation,” with no timeline for the coach’s return to the sidelines.

Fingers pointed out meanwhile (via Twitter), that the Spurs are handling the situation differently this time than they have in the past when Popovich has had health issues that have necessitated short absences, noting that it’s “probably wise not to take a quick return for granted.” The Spurs have yet to rule Popovich out beyond Wednesday’s game in Houston, but will likely provide an update soon as the team will be back in action on Thursday against Portland.

With Popovich unavailable, the Spurs have turned to Johnson, a rising young assistant who was a finalist last spring Wizards‘ head coaching job that ultimately went to Brian Keefeaccording to Charania. Johnson, who has received praise from his players in San Antonio, was also part of the Team USA staff in Paris over the summer, which Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News details.

“He is an impressive young coach,” Heat head coach and Team USA assistant Erik Spoelstra said. “You can see why Pop has given him a lot more responsibility as the years have gone on. He’s a very effective communicator.”

Here’s more from the Southwest:

• The Mavericks‘ injury list continues to grow, with PJ Washington ruled out for Wednesday’s game against Chicago with a sprained right knee, tweets Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News. Big man Maxi Glue will miss a sixth straight game because of his right hamstring while under center Derek Lively is listed as questionable due to a sprained right shoulder.
• Grizzlies sharpie Luke Kennard has been upgraded to questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Lakers and has a chance to make his season debut after missing Memphis’ first eight games with a foot injury (Twitter link). Speaking to reporters after the Grizzlies’ shootaround this morning, Kennard said he would be a playing-time decision and described his “frustrating” recovery process (video link via The Memphis Commercial Appeal).
• While Kennard has a chance to return on Wednesday, Grizzlies will be without a head coach Taylor Jenkinsby Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal (Twitter link). Jenkins will be away from the team due to a death in his family, med Tuomas Iisalo served as acting head coach in his absence.