Popovich to make 'full recovery' from mild stroke

The San Antonio Spurs say veteran coach Gregg Popovich is "expected to make a full recovery" after he suffered a mild stroke earlier this month.

The 75-year-old has missed the Spurs' last six games with what was originally described as an undisclosed health issue.

He suffered the a stroke on 2 November at the team's arena before a home win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

A club statement said Popovich "has already started a rehabilitation program" but the "timeline for his return to the sidelines has not been determined".

Assistant Mitch Johnson has stepped in as interim coach in Popovich's absence.

Popovich, the oldest coach in NBA history, is the league's all-time leader in victories with 1,390 regular season wins and another 170 post-season triumphs.

He has guided the Spurs to five NBA titles in his 29 seasons at the helm.