What Happened to Gregg Popovich? Here’s What We Know
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich recently suffered a "minor stroke" but is expected to make a full recovery, though there’s no set date for his return to the court, the team announced.
Popovich, who’s 75, had the stroke on November 2, right before a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. A couple of days later, it was confirmed that he’d be stepping away from the bench indefinitely due to health issues.
According to the Spurs, Popovich experienced the stroke at Frost Bank Center, the home court for the Texas franchise.
"Popovich, who has already started a rehab program, is expected to make a full recovery. At this time, there’s no set timeline for his return," the statement added. The Spurs also requested "privacy and space for the Popovich family" during this time. In his absence, assistant coach Mitch Johnson has taken over as interim head coach.
Considered one of the greatest coaches in basketball history, Popovich is practically synonymous with success, consistency, and loyalty to the Spurs, a team he’s been coaching nonstop since the 1996-97 season. He completely transformed the franchise’s DNA, leading the Spurs to five championships (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014).
Popovich’s legendary NBA career is especially linked with basketball icon Tim Duncan and other incredible players like David Robinson, Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker, and Argentina’s Manu Ginóbili. Since last year, he’s taken on the challenge of mentoring a new generational talent for the Spurs: French phenom Victor Wembanyama.