Gregg Popovich health update: Legendary Spurs coach deals with 'uncertain future' after insider drops massive news on return
Legendary coach Gregg Popovich is not expected to return this season, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Saturday. The Spurs coach suffered a mild stroke in November 2024, with assistant Mitch Johnson taking over as acting head coach since then.
According to Charania, citing league sources, Popovich is still recovering, but “his future is uncertain.”
“San Antonio Spurs' Hall of Fame coach Gregg Popovich is not expected to return this season, and his future is uncertain as he recovers from a mild stroke suffered in November, league sources tell ESPN,” Charania tweeted.
Gregg Popovich, who turned 76 last month, suffered the stroke on Nov. 2, 2024. Under Johnson’s leadership, the San Antonio Spurs have recorded a 22-27 record since then.
Popovich has led the Spurs since 1996, taking over after firing Bob Hill. He won his first of five championships with the team in 1999 and later handed over general manager duties to RC Buford.
Popovich has guided the Spurs to five NBA titles — 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014. He is one of five coaches in history to have won five championships.
He was honored as NBA Coach of the Year in 2003, 2012 and 2014.
He also served as head coach of the U.S. national team at the 2020 Summer Olympics, leading them to a gold medal. In 2023, Popovich was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Unfortunate Gregg Popovich news follows concerning Victor Wembanyama update
The San Antonio Spurs had already been without Gregg Popovich since November, but on Thursday, the team announced another setback, revealing that Victor Wembanyama would be shut down for the season following a shocking diagnosis.
According to the Spurs, Wembanyama has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot in his right shoulder. However, the team remains optimistic that he will make a full recovery in time for the 2025-26 season.
Wembanyama was the favorite for Defensive Player of the Year and recently formed a star duo with newly acquired De’Aaron Fox. He averaged 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and a league-leading 3.8 blocks per game before the injury.
The reigning Rookie of the Year was named to his first-time NBA All-Star Game appearance this season.