Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has released a statement via the team’s PR department (Twitter link) regarding his recovery from a stroke and the support he’s received since he stepped away from the team. Popovich mentioned that he anticipated returning to coaching at some point.

“This has certainly been an unexpected six weeks for my family and me. As we work together on my recovery, I want to take a moment to share that the outpouring of support we’ve received during this time has been truly overwhelming in the best possible way. While I wish I could get back to each one of you, for now, let me say that my family and I are forever grateful. We’re thankful for our wonderful community, the entire Spurs organization, and our family and friends. No one is more excited to see me return to the bench than the talented individuals who have been leading my rehabilitation process. They’ve quickly learned that I’m less than coachable.”

Popovich suffered a mild stroke on Nov. 2. This was his first public statement since the health issue. Assistant Mitch Johnson has served as the club’s acting head coach in Popovich’s absence.

We have more from the Southwest Division:

• Longtime Warriors guard Klay Thompson scored 29 points in the Mavericks’ win at Golden State on Sunday. It was the second trip back to his former home arena and Thompson said he was much more relaxed. “Way easier,” Thompson said ,per Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. “Especially not seeing all the captain’s hats. I saw a few of those. Much easier. Felt more settled in than the first time I was out here.” Warriors employees lined up along the walls of the ramp where the visiting team arrives at Chase Center and saluted Thompson with a tip of a captain’s hat in Dallas’ first trip there last month.
• Grizzlies guard Ja Morant says he doesn’t want to dunk anymore as he tries to avoid injuries any way he can. However, his teammates are somewhat skeptical, according to Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. “I don’t think that he’s serious,” forward Brandon Clarke said. “I just don’t think that he’s going to dunk as many on people because that’s when it’s a risk of getting fouled hard or getting hurt.”
• The Pelicans lost their 13th straight road game on Sunday but they got a strong effort from reserve two-way player Brandon Boston, who scored 20 points to lead five Pelicans in double figures. “His confidence is growing more and more as he progresses throughout the season,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said, per the Associated Press. “He’s understanding his role. He’s started some games. Right now he’s in the second unit. He’s getting solid minutes each and every game and he’s very confident in what he can do once he touches the floor.”

Starting this week commuters who use certain MBTA buses will see more buses, more often. This is happening on six routes that run through a number of different communities in and around Boston.

“Just gives me a little bit of wiggle room in planning the commute,” said one rider.

Phase 1 of the MBTA’s much anticipated bus network redesign launched on Sunday. There are new routes serving Chelsea, Everett, Revere, Malden, Somerville, Cambridge, Allston, Brighton and East Boston.

“It’s going to really open up a lot of different routes,” said Jarred Johnson, executive director of TransitMatters.

Johnson said the T’s focus on bus service is critical. He says the change is a big bonus for commuters.

“It allows them to have that turn up and go service,” said Johnson. “Busses coming every 15 minutes or better in some cases, it really means you don’t have to do as much planning to get to where you’re going.”

The MBTA said there are a number of reasons for the redesign including prioritizing riders who depend on bus service, offering more frequent service in busy neighborhoods and making the network simpler and easier to use.

“When you have higher frequency, it really attracts people to use the system,” said MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. “If you happen to miss one by a minute, you know the next one is right around the corner.”

As the first phase rolls out, the T plans to collect feedback and will make changes if needed.

Here’s what you need to know about Phase 1 service changes: Phase 1 Service Changes | Bus Network Redesign | MBTA

The T hopes to also make progress on its bus lines in addition to its subway network.

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Two Massachusetts men who flew a drone “dangerously close” to Logan International Airport in Boston are facing charges, police say. 

Robert Duffy, 42, of Boston’s Charlestown neighborhood and Jeremy Folcik, 32, of Bridgewater were taken into custody late Saturday night on Long Island, which is located on the approach to the airport, according to the Boston Police Department. 

“The incident began earlier that evening, at 4:30 PM, when a Boston Police Officer specializing in real-time crime surveillance detected an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operating dangerously close to Logan International Airport,” police said in a statement. “Leveraging advanced UAS monitoring technology, the Officer identified the drone’s location, altitude, flight history, and the operators’ position on Long Island.” 

“Members of the Boston Police Harbor Patrol Unit were dispatched to Long Island and located three individuals inside the decommissioned Long Island Health Campus. Upon attempting to make contact, the suspects fled on foot,” police added. “Two of the three individuals were apprehended and identified as Duffy and Folcik. During the investigation, a drone was discovered inside a backpack carried by Duffy.” 

FORMER GOVERNOR SPOTS MYSTERY DRONES IN MARYLAND, BLASTS FEDS FOR LACK OF TRANSPARENCY 

Investigators believe the third individual fled the island – which is part of the Boston Harbor Islands – on a “small vessel.”  

Duffy and Folcik are now facing charges of trespassing, although the Boston Police Department noted that more charges and fines could follow.

BIDEN ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS DOWNPLAY CONCERNS ABOUT DRONE SIGHTINGS: ‘SLIGHT OVERREACTION’ 

There are numerous buildings on the abandoned Long Island near Boston, Mass. (Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Police also said that because of the “serious risks posed by the drone’s proximity to Logan’s airspace,” the Department of Homeland Security, Massachusetts State Police, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Federal Communications Commission and Logan Airport Air Traffic Control were contacted to help with the response. 

Long Island, located on the approach to Boston’s Logan airport, is shown here in the background on Jan. 5, 2024. (David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

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“The Boston Police Department reminds recreational drone operators of the importance of adhering to Federal Aviation Administration safety guidelines. Operators are prohibited from flying drones over people or vehicles and must be aware of airspace restrictions,” Boston Police added. “Even small drones pose significant risks, including the potential for catastrophic damage to airplanes and helicopters. Near-collisions can cause pilots to veer off course, putting lives and property at risk.”