San Antonio Spurs Hall of Fame coach Gregg Popovich is not expected to return to the bank this season, and his long-term status remains unclear because he recovers from a stroke that was ago, the competition sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Saturday.
San Antonio Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich suffered a “mild stroke” on 2 November before Minnesota Timberwolves Matchup
On November 2, Popovich suffered what the Spurs called a “mild stroke” prior to a matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. San Antonio has moved the 38-year-old assistant Mitch Johnson to the main coaching role on an interim basis. Johnson has coached a young San Antonio team to a 21-27 record.
Popovich is the winning coach of the NBA with 1,390 victories in the regular season and another 170 in the late season to go with five championships. The resident of Indiana is also a triple NBA coach of the year (2003, 2012, 2014) and four-time NBA All-Star Game Head Coach (2005, 2011, 2013, 2016).
San Antonio Spurs’ Hall of Fame coach Gregg Popovich is not expected to return this season, and his future will be uncertain if he recovers from a mild stroke that was ago, competition sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/ekhlda8ni
– Shams Charania (@shamscharania) February 23, 2025
This news comes just a few days after the Spurs have announced on Thursday plans to close Franchise -Superster Victor Wembanyama after he was diagnosed with deep venous thrombosis in his right shoulder. The condition is a form of blood clot that is typically treated with blood -thinning medication.
Popovich and Wembanyama have been kept in contact in recent days, sources told Charania. The coach has communicated and “guidance in the aftermath of the diagnosis of Wembanyama,” said Michael C. Wright from ESPN.
“It’s wild to think about the circumstances and situations we have experienced this year as a team,” said Spurs Point Guard Chris Paul after Wembanyama was excluded for the season. “But I think you know when situations in your family happen that somehow brings you closer in one way or another.”
Gregg Popovich is the oldest coach in the history of NBA
Popovich, who has coached the Spurs since the 1996-97 season, became 76 in January and is the oldest coach in the history of NBA. In 2020 he passed the previous record of Hubie Brown, who was 71 when he coached his last game with the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Spurs expected that Popovich would return this season at a certain moment when they promote Johnson to head coach. Popovich issued a statement in December in which the community, the Spurs organization and friends thanked for their output of support.
“Nobody is more excited to see me return to the bank than the talented individuals who have led my rehabilitation process,” Popovich said in the explanation. “They soon learned that I am less than coachable.”
In July 2023, Popovich agreed with a new five -year contract with the team, with a value of more than $ 80 million. Popovich, who has an average annual salary of $ 17 million, is the second highest paid NBA coach behind Steve Kerr van Golden State Warriors ($ 17.5 million).
The legendary coach of Spurs has kept in touch with Johnson
Popovich, who also serves as the President of the Team, stayed in contact with Johnson during his absence, as well as with Spurs players, by offering support and input about game plans. Johnson revealed in January that Popovich “praises and crossed me out at the same time.”
“It is not one person to fill the shoes of Pop at the moment. It is a village, “said Managing Director Brian Wright 11 days after the stroke of Popovich. “We all bound together. We all play our roles in that part, and we will continue to do that. It is what he would like. “
Spurs CEO RC Buford, the best friend of Popovich and the architect of the most title teams of the franchise, said in January that the coach “attacked his rehabilitation”.
“The same resilience that he has shown as a coach in the course of our career, he is approaching his return in his rehabilitation in an incredibly unique way,” Buford said. “The relationships he has had with former players and the care they share with him is great, and his improvement continues.”
The NBA season 2024-25 is the 29th season of Popovich that coaches the traces.
