Spurs: Gregg Popovich suffered mild stroke; full recovery expected

Field Level Media|published: Wed 13th November, 13:17 2024

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 is expected to make a full recovery after suffering a mild stroke earlier this month, the team announced Wednesday.

The episode occurred on Nov. 2 in San Antonio prior to the Spurs' 113-103 victory against the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves. The team said Popovich missed the game with an illness.

Popovich, 75, has started a rehabilitation program, however a timeline to return to the sideline has not been determined. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson, 37, has served as the interim coach for the Spurs over the last five games and will continue to in Popovich's absence.

Popovich has coached the Spurs since the 1996-97 season, leading them to five NBA championships and compiling a record of 1,390-827.

On March 11, 2022, Popovich surpassed Don Nelson for the most regular season wins by a coach with his 1,336th victory.

Popovich is a three-time NBA Coach of the Year. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, he coached the U.S. men's national team to a gold medal.

--Field Level Media

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