San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, the NBA’s all-time winningest coach, is not expected to return this season as he continues recovering from a mild stroke suffered in November. The future of the 76-year-old Hall of Famer remains uncertain as the team navigates a challenging season without him. Popovich, who has led the Spurs since 1996 and won five NBA championships, suffered the stroke on 2 November before a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson stepped in as interim head coach and has since compiled a 21-27 record while leading a young Spurs squad.
The Spurs faced another setback when franchise star Victor Wembanyama was shut down for the season after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. Despite his absence, Popovich has remained engaged with the team, offering support and strategy input from afar. Popovich’s legacy extends to the international stage, having led the United States to a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Should this mark the end of his coaching career, Popovich would leave the game as the oldest head coach in NBA history.
The resilience and determination shown by Popovich in his recovery efforts have been praised by Spurs CEO RC Buford, highlighting the same qualities that have defined his coaching career. Stay tuned for more updates on Gregg Popovich’s health and potential return to coaching.
Attribution:
This article was summarized and republished from the original source.
Please check the original article here: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/feb/22/gregg-popovich-san-antonio-spurs-stroke-status.