Report: Gregg Popovich tells Spurs he won't return this season

Field Level Media|published: Thu 27th February, 14:08 2025

Oct 31, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich reacts to a play against the Utah Jazz during the third quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich met with the team Thursday for the first time since his stroke and informed the players he is not returning this season, NBA insider Chris Haynes reported.

ESPN reported last week that the team expected to finish the campaign without Popovich, who suffered what the Spurs called a mild stroke on Nov. 2 just five games into the season.

Interim coach Mitch Johnson has led the Spurs to a 22-30 mark (24-33 overall) in the absence of Popovich, who has coached the team since the 1996-97 season and won five NBA championships.

Popovich's plans for next season are unknown.

The winningest coach in NBA history turned 76 on Jan. 28. Popovich owns a career record of 1,407-843 in 2,250 games with the Spurs. The three-time NBA Coach of the Year was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023.

--Field Level Media