Spurs Starter, Wednesday, November 6, 2024: Chris Paul's Message to Gregg Popovich

Your daily briefing on what's going on with the San Antonio Spurs, including news, draft and more.

Mathey Gibson | 10 Hours Ago

Oct 31, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich speaks with guard Chris Paul (3) during the second quarter in the game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images / Rob Gray-Imagn Images

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San Antonio Spurs

It's Wednesday, Por Vida fans! Welcome to your morning Spurs Starter.

As San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich continues to take a leave of abscence, veteran guard Chris Paul had a message of support.

"I've only been with the team now for a few months, but I've paid attention to Pop my entire career, you know, and he, I think is one of the best, if not the best and putting everything into perspective," said Paul. "And he's so selfless and he makes sure we understand how privileged we are to play this game and to be in the NBA, but he'd be the first person to tell you not to worry about him and to go out and hoop. But of course all the guys with our team, staff, everyone definitely miss him because he's Pop. So there's a feeling when he's in the room that just comforts everybody."

Now, onto the headlines.

THE NEWS

1. READ: GREGG POPOVICH OUT: WHO IS MITCH JOHNSON, THE SPURS' STAND-IN COACH?

With Gregg Popovich sidelined, the San Antonio Spurs are entrusting the reins to a reliable assistant coach.

Read the full story at the link above.

2. READ: TIMELESS TALENT: CHRIS PAUL'S EFFICIENT PLAY REVIVES SPURS' OFFENSE

At 39 years old, Chris Paul is demonstrating that his one-year deal with the San Antonio Spurs is shaping up to be truly memorable.

Read the full story at the link above.

3. READ: THUMB FRACTURE BENCHES JEREMY SOCHAN: WHO WILL FILL SPURS' VOID?

On Tuesday, the San Antonio Spurs received tough news. So, where do they turn now?

Read the full story at the link above.

TODAY'S SCHEDULE

Wednesday, Nov. 6 at Houston Rockets. Bally Sports Southwest. 7:00 p.m. CT.

MEDIA DAY, TRAINING CAMP

Now that the Media Day is over and the 2024-25 season is set to kick off, you can check out the stories surrounding the team as it gears up for the beginning of the regular season.

- The Ultimate Guide to Spurs Training Camp

- Everything Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich Said at Media Day

- Victor Wembanyama is 'Funnier' as Spurs Prepare for New Season

- Chris Paul and Gregg Popovich, Once Rivals, Now Set to Join Forces

- Wembanyama Adds 25 Pounds Ahead of His Second NBA Season

- Chris Paul Enters San Antonio as Polished Veteran, Mutual Choice

- Keldon Johnson Is Back For Year 6, and Feels Like the Old Man

- Wembanyama 'Working on Fundamentals' Ahead of Sophomore Year

- Victor Wembanyama, Chris Paul Share Comical Moment During Media Day

- Gregg Popovich Looking Forward To Season of Improvemen

- Castle Impresses Spurs Early with Versatility and 'Own Pace'

- Wembanyama Sets Next Big Goal: Elevating His Spurs Teammates

- Alpine F1 Team Announce New Era Clothing Collaboration

- Gregg Popovich Likes New, Improved Victor Wembanyama

- Is Stephon Castle's Jump Shot A Genuine Problem?

- Jeremy Sochan Ready to Thrive at 'Natural' Position

- Will Julian Champagnie Start In Place of Devin Vassell?

- Zach Collins 'Feeling Great' After Shoulder Surgery

- Harrison Barnes Speaks on Young Spurs' Winning Mentality

- Castle Speaks on Spurs' 'Aggressive' Defensive Mindset

- Keldon Johnson Focused on Getting Better, Sticking Around

- Champagnie's Approach to Begin New Season? 'Just Keep Shooting'

- How Can Sandro Mamukelashvili Earn Rotational Minutes?

THE FULL SCHEDULE

The San Antonio Spurs played their first game of the year on Oct. 25, kicking off the second season of Victor Wembanyama's young NBA career. Now that it's through, here's a preview of some upcoming dates and times (all in CST) throughout the season to watch for:

San Antonio Spurs Regular Season Schedule

Oct. 24: Season Opener at Dallas Mavericks (L 120-109)
Oct. 26: Home opener vs. Houston Rockets (W 109-106)
Oct. 28: Regular season vs. Houston Rockets (L 106-101)
Oct. 30: Regular season at Oklahoma City Thunder (L 105-93)
Oct. 31: Regular season at Utah Jazz (W 106-88)
Nov. 2: Regular season vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (W 113-103)
Nov. 4: Regular season vs. L.A. Clippers

Nov. 15: Group Play Begins vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Dec. 10: NBA Cup Knockout Rounds Begin
Dec. 25: MSG Christmas at New York Knicks

Dec. 31: New Year's vs. LA Clippers

Jan. 23-25: Paris Games vs. Indiana Pacers

Feb. 3: Rodeo Road Trip Begins at Memphis Grizzlies

Feb. 14-16: All-Star Break

Feb. 20: Spurs Get Moody vs. Phoenix Suns
Feb. 21: Spurs Get Moody vs. Detroit Pistons

March 21: Longest Home Stand Ends vs. Philadelphia 76ers

April 6: Final Road Trip Begins at Portland Trail Blazers
April 13: Final Home Game vs. Toronto Raptors

AROUND THE NBA

Catch up on some of the league-wide headlines below:

Also, be sure to follow along with Spurs On SI's NBA tracker, with more detailed breakdowns of major league news and updates.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Every era of coaches has their own set of problems and challenges. Today's player is different, but some things about them are better than they were in the past. I don't think coaching today's players is any tougher. I think we're a little too hard on the current day player because he's different.”
- Avery Johnson

THIS DAY IN SPURS HISTORY

November 6, 1987: The Spurs signed David Robinson, the first-overall selection in the 1987 NBA Draft. The eight-year deal for more than $3 million per season, plus a signing bonus of $1 million, was at the time considered the largest signed by a rookie in any professional sport.