San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich has publicly thanked the community, the Spurs organization, and his loved ones for their overwhelming support as he continues to recover from a mild stroke suffered on November 2 at Frost Bank Center. In a heartfelt statement released Monday, the legendary coach reflected on the past six weeks and expressed his deep appreciation for the encouragement he has received.
“This has certainly been an unexpected six weeks for my family and me,” Popovich, 75, said. “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.”
Popovich, who has been the face of the Spurs franchise for nearly three decades, coached San Antonio’s first five games of the season, guiding the team to a 2-3 record before stepping away to focus on his health. The Spurs initially announced that Popovich had already begun rehabilitation and was expected to make a full recovery.
The winningest coach in NBA history, Popovich has enjoyed a storied career, leading San Antonio to five NBA championships and coaching Team USA to a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Now in his 29th season at the helm, Popovich remains a cornerstone of the franchise and the league.
In his absence, assistant coach Mitch Johnson, 38, has stepped into the interim head coaching role. Johnson has led the Spurs to an 11-10 record since taking over, keeping the team competitive with a 13-13 overall record. San Antonio currently sits 11th in the Western Conference standings ahead of Thursday’s matchup against the Atlanta Hawks.
Popovich, never short of humor, acknowledged the challenges of his rehabilitation process with a lighthearted remark. “No one is more excited to see me return to the bench than the talented individuals who have been leading my rehabilitation process,” he said. “They’ve quickly learned that I’m less than coachable.”
As Popovich continues his recovery, the basketball world eagerly anticipates his return to the sideline. His resilience and humor remain as inspiring as his illustrious career.
