Gregg Popovich will not return to coach the San Antonio Spurs this season after suffering a mild stroke in November.
On Thursday, Popovich met with his players to give them an update on his health and inform them that he will not be back this season.
“I’ve decided not to return to the sidelines this season,” Popovich said via a statement. “[Interim coach] Mitch Johnson and his staff have done a wonderful job and the resolve and professionalism the players have shown, sticking together during a challenging season, has been outstanding. I will continue to focus on my health with the hope that I can return to coaching in the future.”
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Popovich is expected to make a full recovery, but his future coaching the team remains uncertain.
In the statement released by the team in November, the Spurs said the stroke occurred Nov. 2 at their home arena, the Frost Bank Center. Nearly two weeks later, Popovich started a rehabilitation program.
At 76 years old and in his 29th season as the Spurs’ head coach, Popovich is both the oldest and longest-tenured head coach in the NBA. He is the NBA’s all-time wins leader among coaches, a five-time NBA champion, a three-time NBA Coach of the Year and was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2023. He already has one of the most decorated résumés of any coach in history, but many are hoping to see if he can build another contender with Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox.
The Spurs are still reeling from losing Wembanyama for the season due to deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. San Antonio is 21-30 since Popovich left the team and are currently 24-33 and in 13th place in the Western Conference.
With Popovich out, his Johnson was catapulted into interim head coaching duties and has so far drawn strong reviews. At 38 years old, it’s conceivable he has established himself as Popovich’s successor whenever that’s needed, though it’s clear nothing is certain here.
