Mitch Johnson extended his hand. Gregg Popovich shook it, then pulled him in for a hug instead.

And with that, the torch was officially passed. It’s a new era in San Antonio.

Popovich spoke publicly Monday for the first time since suffering a stroke six months ago, saying at the news conference where the Spurs introduced Johnson as his replacement that the time was right to make that move.

“Things are getting better by the day, but it’s not good enough for what we plan ahead,” Popovich said. “So, it’s time to make this change.”

Flanked by Spurs greats Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili as he stood at a lectern, the 76-year-old Popovich — speaking far more softly than he has in the past — said his health is improving and that he fully believes in Johnson.

Popovich will remain with the Spurs as team president, and the leadership of the team — including CEO R.C. Buford and general manager Brian Wright — isn’t changing. Nor will the team’s ideals, Popovich said.

Popovich removed his jacket before bringing Johnson to the podium, revealing a T-shirt with his new title: “El Jefe,” it said, the Spanish phrase for “the boss.” The back of the shirt said “Senor Popovich.”

Cleveland’s Atkinson wins coach of the year >> Kenny Atkinson went through a winless preseason with the Cleveland Cavaliers and wondered if his team would be any good.

Turns out, they were better than good.

And their coach — he was the NBA’s best this season.

Atkinson is now an NBA Coach of the Year winner, announced as this year’s recipient of the Red Auerbach Trophy. Atkinson led Cleveland to a 15-0 start to the season — one of three winning streaks of at least 12 games this season by his club — and led the Cavaliers to the best record in the Eastern Conference.

Jazz extend coach Hardy >> Will Hardy is being given more time to continue the rebuild of the Utah Jazz.

The Jazz announced that Hardy has signed a contract extension, one that could keep him as head coach through the 2030-31 season. He’ll enter his fourth season with the Jazz next fall.

Hardy has gone 85-161 in his first three seasons with the Jazz, missing the playoffs in each of those three years. Utah won 37 games in his first season, 31 in his second and just 17 this season — by far the worst record in franchise history and the worst record in the NBA this season.

NFL

Browns’ Bush accused of assault >> Cleveland Browns linebacker Devin Bush was charged with harassment and misdemeanor simple assault over the weekend after allegedly chasing a woman through his house in suburban Pittsburgh and smashing her cellphone.

Officers said they responded to a 911 call on Sunday from the home in Sewickley, where a woman identified only as Bush’s girlfriend alleged he assaulted her, took her car keys and broke the phone to prevent her from calling for help.

Ravens release Tucker >> The Baltimore Ravens announced they are releasing kicker Justin Tucker, months after the NFL said it would look into reporting by the Baltimore Banner that more than a dozen massage therapists had accused him of inappropriate sexual behavior — and shortly after the team drafted another kicker..

2nd person charged in murder of Super Bowl reporter >> Louisiana authorities charged a second suspect with murder in the death of a television reporter who had traveled to New Orleans to cover the Super Bowl.

Adan Manzano, a 27-year-old reporter and anchor for Telemundo based in Kansas City, Missouri, was found dead Feb. 5 in his hotel room in the New Orleans suburb of Kenner. A woman seen on security video leaving Manzano’s room was later charged with second-degree murder and with stealing his credit cards and cellphone.

Kenner police announced Monday that an accomplice, 34-year-old Rickey White, has also been charged with second-degree murder. White was arrested in Florida in March on robbery and fraud charges related to Manzano’s death, then extradited to Louisiana.

MLB

Pitcher Stripling retires >> Ross Stripling is calling it a career.

The veteran pitcher announced his retirement about six weeks after the Kansas City Royals released him following a monthlong tryout during spring training.

Stripling went 40-54 with a 4.17 ERA and four saves in 248 appearances with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto, San Francisco and Oakland. The right-hander was an All-Star for the Dodgers in 2018, going 8-6 with a 3.02 ERA in 122 innings while bouncing between the starting rotation and the bullpen.

Astros place Alvarez on IL >> Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez is going on the 10-day injured list with inflammation in his right hand.

The issue had caused the three-time All-Star to miss the last two games of the Astros’ weekend series with the Chicago White Sox. The move is retroactive to Saturday.

NHL

Islanders win draft lottery >> The New York Islanders won the NHL draft lottery and vaulted nine teams, including the last-place San Jose Sharks, in winning the opportunity to have the No. 1 pick.

The Islanders, who finished 10th in the standings and are in the midst of a front-office change, overcame having just a 3.5% chance to winning the lottery.

New York has the right to pick first for the fifth time in team history, and first since selecting John Tavares with the No. 1 pick in 2009.

Kings and GM part ways >> Rob Blake is out after eight seasons as the Los Angeles Kings’ vice president and general manager.

The Kings announced a mutual parting with Blake four days after Los Angeles lost to Edmonton in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.

Blake built a consistent regular-season winner with the Kings, but the team failed to win a playoff series during his tenure.