Indiana's Rick Carlisle has coached more games against San Antonio's Gregg Popovich than anyone else. They've had 87 head-to-head matchups, including playoffs. Thursday was supposed to be No. 88. It won't happen,

With the San Antonio Spurs in Paris for a pair of games against the Indiana Pacers this week, the absence of coach Gregg Popovich looms over what would otherwise be a showcase for the NBA and second-year French star Victor Wembanyama.

PARIS – Legendary San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is “attacking his rehab with the same resilience” after suffering a stroke in November that he’d shown on the bench, chief executive RC Buford said, but his return to the team this season remains in question.