Michael C. Wright, ESPN Writer Nov 13, 2024, 1:00pm ET
CloseHe joined ESPN in 2010, previously covered the Bears for ESPN.com, and played college football at West Texas A&M
SAN ANTONIO — Spurs coach Gregg Popovich continues to recover after suffering what the team described as a “mild stroke” on Nov. 2.
Popovich has missed the past six games due to what the team previously indicated was an undisclosed medical condition.
The Spurs provided a diagnosis and update on Popovich’s condition on Wednesday, saying the coach suffered a stroke on the team’s court. The Spurs said Popovich has begun a rehabilitation program and is expected to make a full recovery.
There is no timetable for his return, but general manager Brian Wright said Popovich is “doing well.”
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“It’s on all of us to play our part, play our part, continue to lean on each other, support each other, and be there for each other. We look forward to the day when we can welcome him back,” Wright said. “But it takes a village, and we’re all committed to that. But more importantly, we’re committed to making sure he gets everything he needs and giving him the time and space to continue to recover. We’ll look forward to having him back.”
Popovich is the winningest coach in the NBA with 1,390 victories and another 170 postseason wins along with five NBA titles. He’s in his 29th season, all with San Antonio.
Popovich, 75, is the oldest coach in NBA history. In 2020, he surpassed the previous mark held by Hubie Brown (71 years old) in his last game as coach of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Mitch Johnson (37 years old) served as Spurs’ head coach throughout Popovich’s absence. A source told ESPN’s Shams Charania that Johnson will coach Tottenham for the foreseeable future.
“As I said before, it’s not one person’s job to fill Bob’s shoes at this moment,” Wright said. “It’s a village. And so, like I said, we’re all connected to each other. We’re all playing our parts in this part, and we’ll continue to do so, and that’s what he wants.”
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
