Legendary NBA Coach Suffers ‘Mild Stroke,’ Team Announces

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich suffered a mild stroke before a game on November 2nd, the team announced.

The legendary coach is expected to make a full recovery.

“At this point, a timeline for his return to the sidelines has not been determined,” the Spurs said.

“During this time, the organization is grateful to the extended community for providing privacy and space to the Popovich family,” the statement added.

pic.twitter.com/8ymPjBU8Oj

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) November 13, 2024

A closer look:

Per ESPN:

Popovich has missed the past seven games, including Wednesday night’s win over the Washington Wizards, with what the team had previously referred to as an undisclosed medical episode.

The Spurs provided a diagnosis and update on Popovich’s status earlier Wednesday, saying the coach suffered the stroke at the team’s arena. The Spurs said Popovich has started a rehabilitation program and is expected to make a full recovery.

There is no timeline for his return, but general manager Brian Wright said that Popovich is “doing well.”

“It is on all of us to play our part, to play our role, to continue to lean on each other, support each other, and be there for one another. And we look forward to the day that we can welcome him back,” Wright said before Wednesday’s game. “But it takes a village, and we’re all committed to that. But most importantly, we’re committed to making sure that he has everything he needs and giving him the time and space to continue to recover. And we’ll look forward to getting him back.”

With 1,390 victories, Popovich is the winningest head coach in NBA history.

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee has won five NBA championships with the Spurs.

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich suffered a mild stroke on Nov. 2. He is expected to make a full recovery and a timeline for return has not been determined. pic.twitter.com/FK6VMC1B57

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 13, 2024

From the New York Post:

Spurs assistant Mitch Johnson has been handling the interim head coaching duties during Popovich’s absence.

Popovich last coached the Spurs on Halloween in Salt Lake City, where the team beat the Jazz.

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“He’s not feeling well,” Johnson said of Popovich last week. “This has happened before. I think everybody’s just always got to be ready for the next man up. We’ve had it with injuries and sometimes people get sick or don’t feel well or things come up in life. He’s just not feeling well.”

Popovich, who has coached San Antonio since 1996 and is in his 29th season at the helm, has led the team to five NBA championships and is a three-time NBA coach of the year winner.

“When we walk into the building each and every day, we feel [Popovich’s] leadership, we feel that presence,” Spurs General Manager Brian Wright said Wednesday, per the Washington Post. “And so not having him, there’s clearly a void. And we miss him.”

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