But the NBA coaching great took time out during a game to ask his staff and Canberran Mills to vote on the question: "do we trust Patty?".

It was a lighthearted moment after Mills got himself into early foul trouble against the Golden State Warriors on Monday.

Popovich called Mills into a coaching huddle at a break in play. Mills, with a serious look on his face, joined the coaches.

"We've got five people here, we're going to vote," Popovich said. "Right now, we each have a vote, us five. Do we trust Patty to not get his third foul?

"All those people who trust him, raise your hand."

One by one they raised their hand, including Mills who by now had a cheeky grin on his face and looked over his shoulder to check everyone had their hand up.

"OK ... you're in," Popovich said. Mills finished with a grin: "I like you guys, I like you guys".

Mills started the match in the absence of Tony Parker and Dejounte Murray. He scored seven points and had one assist and one rebound in a slow night after 18 minutes on the court.

The 29-year-old is averaging 9.6 points and 2.6 points per game this season as the third-placed Spurs chase the Warriors and Houston Rockets in the western conference.

The Spurs' next game will be against the Utah Jazz at 1pm on Tuesday.