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.”

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey held a press conference on Monday about his plan for homeless housing, addressing the work that’s already been done and his plans to convert new spaces into places for the unhoused.

During this first phase, Gainey said the city has worked with Allegheny County and its Department of Human Services.

Gainey said in 2024, 16 homeless people who lived on trails died.

“We were forced to space people out of shelters and ultimately pushed people outside,” Gainey said. “Not having a safe, dignified space to call home is a hard way for anybody to live – anybody. And not anything any human should be subjected to.”

Gainey says his goal is to have all people experiencing homelessness off the river trails by this winter. The city has already moved 100 people indoors.

Channel 11 also learned of a new facility on the North Side at the former McNaugher School in Perry South.

As Channel 11 has previously reported, the city has already changed the former Vincentian De Marillac nursing home facility in Stanton Heights into transitional housing. City officials say right now there are 40 beds they expect people to soon move into. The city also plans to add 50 transitional housing units and says 20 more beds will be coming in the new year.

>>> 11 Investigates Exclusive: Transitional housing facility opens despite pending legal action

Gainey says this facility is different from previous emergency shelters.

“Your bed is your bed. Once you are given a bed the bed is your bed,” he said. “It’s not a place people are asked to leave at 7 a.m. in the morning and then report back in line each and every day to have a spot.”

Gainey says these moves give the homeless a pathway to safety and dignity and there will be county support services helping them out along the way.

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Putting problem landlords on notice in Hartford. The mayor revealed a list of landlords Monday he says violated the city’s housing code multiple times, including one the city is looking to get prosecuted for dragging their feet on repairs.

“We just want this to be over. It’s been a long four months,” Marisol Navarro, a Concord Hills Apartments tenant, said.

She’s tired of the uncertainty of where she will live next month. Navarro is one of about 30 households still in temporary housing after a fire in August at the Concord Hills Apartments in Hartford.

Navarro and other tenants have been frustrated with their landlord Greyhill Group for delays in repairs to the point they protested in front of their offices in New York City last week. They’ve also pushed Mayor Arunan Arulampalam to take forceful action against the landlord.

“The city makes Greyhill accountable, make them fix the apartments so we can return and go back to our happy place,” Navarro said.

On Monday, Arulamapalam announced the city would seek criminal charges against Greyhill Group through the State’s Attorney’s Office, saying it violated the city’s housing ordinances.

“There will be consequences, there will be accountability, and we will hold you to account,” he said.

The mayor also revealed a list of three out-of-state landlords he said have not been taking care of the buildings or tenants. That includes PAXE properties, which is owned by Aron Puretz of New York.

The city said multiple PAXE properties had to be vacated due to unsafe conditions, with 13 buildings in foreclosure and/or receivership.

The city also said landlord Moshe Grossbard of New York had notices for violating building codes, with liens on multiple properties for unpaid fines.

Finally, Whitehead Estates LLC, owned by Bishop Lamor Whitehead of New Jersey, had 24 units condemned by the city for no heat or water. Whitehead is currently serving a nine-year prison sentence after being convicted on fraud charges.

“If you don’t shape up, we are going to drive you out of the city. We’re going to make it hard for you to do business,” Arulampalam said.

Navarro said it sends a clear message that enough is enough when it comes to treating tenants right.

“Landlords in the state of Connecticut need to know that they cannot play with peoples’ lives,” she said.

Arulampalam also said Greyhill Group threatened to sue him in his personal capacity over comments he made about the dispute over repairs at Concord Hills.

NBC Connecticut reached out to the attorneys representing Greyhill Group for comment, but didn’t hear back.