The San Antonio Spurs finally got a sigh of relief after head coach Gregg Popovich shared a statement. His health is getting better, and Popovich is optimistic about his return to the sidelines after recently recovering from a stroke that he suffered last month.
The 75-year-old veteran coach has been a key to the Spurs’ success for over two decades. He expressed gratitude for the support he’s received during this challenging time. The Spurs’ official X (formerly Twitter) account recently published a statement on Popovich’s behalf. It revealed that the head coach has not fully recovered and might need a couple of weeks to get back in action.
“This has certainly been an unexpected six weeks for my family and me. As we work together on my recovery, I want to take a moment to share that the outpouring of support we’ve received during this time has been truly overwhelming in the best possible way. While I wish I could get back to each and every one of you, for now, let me say that my family and I are forever grateful. We’re thankful for our wonderful community, the entire Spurs organization, and our family and friends,” the statement read.
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) December 16, 2024
On November 2, Popovich suffered a mild stroke. Right after the incident, the organization confirmed that Popovich experienced the stroke at the team’s arena. That led to him missing several games as he began the rehabilitation process.
During that time, the team actively provided a positive update on his condition, and he was expected to make a full recovery. General manager Brian Wright also acknowledged the team’s dedication to supporting Popovich during this challenging time. While Popovich was absent, Mitch Johnson took over the coaching duties as the acting head coach.
Gregg Popovich Is The NBA’s Winningest Head Coach
Gregg Popovich, who is often referred to simply as “Pop,” is regarded as one of the greatest coaches in NBA history. He began his coaching career in 1988 as an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs and was named head coach in 1996. Under his leadership, the Spurs won five NBA championships (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014) with 1,390 victories.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
tyeoijnyhde pic.twitter.com/HEyGNbdLZ7
— Don Barzini (@DonBarziniXX) October 10, 2024
Popovich made a great contribution to building the team that we know today. It was only his efforts that turned the side into a team known for their unselfish ball movement and defensive tenacity. Players like Tim Duncan, Manu Ginóbili, and Tony Parker also developed during his long tenure. In 2022, Popovich surpassed Don Nelson to become the all-time wins leader among NBA coaches.
He currently holds an impressive milestone in his name, having over 1,388 wins. He also led the U.S. Men’s National Team to a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. While Popovich has been absent from games, assistant coach Johnson has stepped up to lead the team, which currently holds a respectable 13-13 record. However, the Spurs have faced challenges on the court, recently losing four of their last six games. And now, finally, Pop is at their helm, and the Spurs are more confident.
Also Read: VIDEO: Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich Reveals Mavericks Adding Klay Thompson ‘Wrecked’ His Night
