SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Manu Ginobili had 28 points and the San Antonio Spurs won without coach Gregg Popovich, rallying for a 106-100 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night.
Popovich missed the game after undergoing what the team is calling a minor medical procedure. His status for Friday's home game against Sacramento is unknown.
Assistant Ettore Messina took over for Popovich, becoming the first European-born coach to run an NBA team in the regular season.
Ginobili resembled the high-flying, energetic star that played for Bologna in 2001 under Messina before joining the Spurs, helping San Antonio's Big Three direct the team to victory without their fiery coach.