Current:Home > NewsSpurs coach Gregg Popovich had a stroke earlier this month, is expected to make full recovery -Apex Capital Strategies
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had a stroke earlier this month, is expected to make full recovery
View
Date:2025-04-18 07:08:11
Basketball Hall of Famer Gregg Popovich has been away from the team because he suffered a mild stroke earlier this month, the San Antonio Spurs announced Wednesday.
Popovich is in his 29th season as coach of the Spurs and there is no timetable for his return to the sideline, the team said. The stroke happened on Nov. 2 at the team’s arena, and Popovich is expected to make a full recovery.
The 75-year-old Popovich, the NBA’s all-time win leader and a coach of five Spurs teams that won league championships, has already started a rehabilitation program, the team said.
“During this time, the organization is grateful to the extended community for providing privacy and space to the Popovich family,” the Spurs said in a release.
Assistant coach Mitch Johnson has been the acting head coach in Popovich’s absence. The Spurs play at home Wednesday against Washington, and that will be the seventh straight game where Johnson will be filling in for Popovich.
Stroke was the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and more than half a million Americans have a stroke every year.
The Spurs were playing the Minnesota Timberwolves at home on Nov. 2, and Popovich’s medical episode there occurred in the hours before that game. Johnson took over for that night’s contest, which the Spurs won, after the team said Popovich was not feeling well.
Johnson and Popovich spoke the following day. The Spurs had not released much in the way of details since, prior to Wednesday’s announcement about the stroke.
“Right now, his health is the No. 1 priority,” Johnson said on Nov. 4, adding, “He’s in good spirits. He’ll be OK. He is OK. And we can’t wait to have him back.”
Popovich is one of only three coaches to win the NBA coach of the year award three times, Don Nelson and Pat Riley being the others. He’s one of five coaches with at least five NBA titles; Phil Jackson (11), Red Auerbach (9), John Kundla (5) and Riley (5) are the others.
Popovich has been part of the Spurs for nearly 35 years. He was an assistant coach from 1988 through 1992, then returned to the club on May 31, 1994, as its executive vice president for basketball operations and general manager. He made the decision to fire coach Bob Hill and appoint himself coach on Dec. 10, 1996.
He’s been the Spurs’ sideline boss ever since.
Popovich’s 29-year run with the Spurs is a span the likes of which has been nearly unmatched in U.S. major pro sports history.
Connie Mack managed the Philadelphia Athletics for 50 years, George Halas coached the Chicago Bears for 40 years and John McGraw managed the New York Giants for 31 years. Those three tenures — all wrapping up well over a half-century ago — are the only ones exceeding Popovich’s run with the Spurs; his 29-year era in San Antonio matches the tenures that Dallas Cowboys’ Tom Landry and the Green Bay Packers’ Curly Lambeau had in those jobs.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
veryGood! (659)
Related
- How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
- In Russia, more Kremlin critics are being imprisoned as intolerance of dissent grows
- Rory McIlroy has shot land hilariously on woman's lap at World Tour Championship
- You Only Have 72 Hours to Shop Kate Spade’s Epic 70% Off Deals
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- What happened to Kelly Oubre? Everything we know about the Sixer's accident
- Iowa teen convicted in beating death of Spanish teacher gets life in prison: I wish I could go back and stop myself
- At a Global South summit, Modi urges leaders to unite against challenges from the Israel-Hamas war
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Buying a Rivian R1T electric pickup truck was a miserable experience.
Ranking
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- Alaska National Guard performs medical mission while shuttling Santa to give gifts to rural village
- House Ethics Committee report on George Santos finds substantial evidence of wrongdoing
- New York judge lifts gag order that barred Donald Trump from maligning court staff in fraud trial
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- Federal charges added for Georgia jail escapee and woman accused of helping him
- Photographer found shot to death in violence plagued Mexican border city of Ciudad Juarez
- Thousands of Starbucks workers walk off the job in Red Cup Rebellion, union says
Recommendation
$73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
Don’t Miss Out On H&M’s Early Black Friday Deals: Save Up to 60% Off Fashion, Decor & More
Hunter Biden files motion to subpoena Trump, Bill Barr, other Justice Dept officials
Why does Apple TV+ have so many of the best streaming shows you've never heard of?
South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
Adriana Lima Has the Ultimate Clapback to Critical Comments About Her Appearance
The Best Advent Calendars for Kids: Bluey, PAW Patrol, Disney, Barbie & More
WWE announces Backlash will be outside US in another international pay-per-view