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, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The future of the 76-year-old Hall of Famer remains uncertain as the team navigates a challenging season without him.
Related: Victor Wembanyama set to miss rest of NBA season over blood clot fears
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 on Thursday after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.
“It’s wild to think of the circumstances we’ve been through as a team this year,” Spurs point guard Chris Paul said. “But like any family, tough times bring you closer.”
Despite his absence, Popovich has remained engaged with the team, offering support and strategy input from afar. Known for his sharp wit, Popovich even joked in December that his rehabilitation team had discovered he was “less than coachable”.
Spurs CEO RC Buford praised Popovich’s determined recovery efforts, noting, “The same resilience he’s shown as a coach, he’s bringing to his rehab.”
Popovich’s legacy extends to the international stage, having also 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.
