Legendary NBA coach Gregg Popovich is recovering from what the San Antonio Spurs described as a mild stroke.
The NBA’s longest-tenured coach has already missed six games with what was initially described as an undisclosed health issue before more details were released ahead of Wednesday night’s contest with the Washington Wizards.
Popovich suffered a stroke Nov. 2 at the Spurs’ home stadium and has already begun a rehab program believing he will make a full recovery, though there is no timetable for a return to action.
The team did not release other details, including the effects, if any, of the stroke the 75-year-old is dealing with.
“These are difficult times for everyone,” said Brian Wright, general manager of “Spurs”. “Coach Pop has been the leader of this organization for the last three decades.
“We’ve all met or known people who just have a different aura, a different presence about them. Clearly, he is one of those people.
“When we walk into the building every day, we feel that leadership, we feel that presence and so not having him is obviously a void. And we miss him.”
Popovich is the NBA’s all-time wins leader, having led the Spurs to five championships as well as a gold medal for USA Basketball at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. He is in his 29th season as Spurs coach.
“He’s doing well. He’s doing well … He’s tough, he’s a fighter and he’s going to work,” Wright said. “We’re all here for him, but he’s doing great.”
In Popovich’s absence, assistant coach Mitch Johnson served as acting head coach. The Spurs beat Washington 139-130 on Wednesday night, the seventh straight game in which Johnson has replaced Popovich.
“Mitch was great,” Spurs rookie Stephon Castle said Wednesday before the team released details on Popovich’s health. “Even when Pop was here, he was always a voice in our huddle and in our locker room. Our philosophy has not changed.”
Victor Vembanyama, who scored a career-high 50 points in the win over the Wizards, said the team first learned of Popovich’s stroke before the team’s announcement.
“Of course, I’m a little worried about Pop,” Vembanyama said. “At the same time, I haven’t talked to him, but I know what kind of thinking he is right. I know he is working like crazy, probably to be back with us soon. I trust him. I trust the people. take care of him right now, I hope he won’t be away from us for too long.”
A stroke occurs when blood flow to an area of the brain is blocked or a blood vessel in the brain bursts. It deprives the brain of oxygen, which can cause brain damage that can lead to difficulty thinking, talking, and walking, or even death. Strokes can cause difficulty speaking, paralysis of certain muscles or loss of movement, memory loss, and more.
It is not known if Popovich is dealing with the effects of a stroke.
Popovich is one of only three coaches to win the NBA Coach of the Year award three times and one of five coaches with at least five NBA titles.
Popovich has been playing for the Spurs for nearly 35 years. He was an assistant coach from 1988 to 1992, then returned to the club on May 31, 1994 as executive vice president of basketball operations and general manager.
He made the decision to sack head coach Bob Hill and was appointed manager in December 1996 and has been Spurs sideline manager ever since.
LeBron: I hope to see him soon
Well-wishes have poured in for Popovich from across the NBA, with longtime rival LeBron James sharing his concern ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers’ matchup against the Spurs on Friday.
“Honestly, I haven’t even thought about it yet. “Obviously, I’m looking forward to Friday’s game. It’s always hard to win in San Antonio,” James said.
LeBron James wished Popovich the best of luck
“But for me personally, there’s a lot bigger news coming out of San Antonio right now, and that’s my dear friend Coach Pop.
“I’ll be thinking about him a lot before I go there tomorrow for Friday’s game and I wish him the best of health.
“I hope to see him soon. It shouldn’t even be on the sidelines, so hopefully I’ll see him soon.
“It is the most important thing for me.”
