Gregg Popovich’s Health Update
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is still away from the team after suffering a stroke last fall. It’s unclear when or if he will return, but Spurs CEO R.C. Buford shared some positive news about Popovich’s recovery on Wednesday.
Positive News on Recovery
Buford, who is a close friend of Popovich, provided an encouraging update. “All I can share is he’s attacking his rehab in a way that … you know Pop, you’ve observed him for years. The same resilience that he’s shown over the course of our career as a coach, he’s approaching his rehab in an incredibly unique way,” Buford said, according to The Associated Press. He also mentioned the strong support Popovich has received from former players, which has been vital to his recovery.
Stroke and Ongoing Recovery
Popovich suffered a mild stroke on November 2 at the Spurs’ arena. Since then, he has been focusing on his recovery. While details about the stroke and his rehabilitation process remain unclear, it’s expected that he will make a full recovery. During his absence, assistant coach Mitch Johnson has taken over the coaching duties, leading the Spurs to a 17-19 record. The team is currently in Paris for a pair of games against the Indiana Pacers this week. Heading into Wednesday’s game, they have a 19-22 record and have lost six of their last seven.
Popovich’s Legacy and Age
Popovich, who became the Spurs’ coach in 1996 while also serving as their general manager, holds the record for the most wins in NBA history. He has led the team to five NBA championships and helped the USA Basketball team win a gold medal at the 2021 Olympics. Popovich will turn 76 next week.
Popovich Remains Involved
Despite being away from the team, Popovich continues to be very involved in the Spurs’ daily operations. Mitch Johnson mentioned that they stay in constant communication, and Popovich is “still as opinionated as he’s ever been.”
Spurs guard Chris Paul added, “I’m not even sure if this is public, but he calls. He calls after games and I talk to him, and he tells me what he sees, and I appreciate that more than anything because he doesn’t have to do that. And he does.”
Uncertainty About His Return
While no one knows when Popovich will return, the updates are promising, and it seems that things are improving for him. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle expressed hope that Popovich will be back soon. “He’s really an institution and he’s been such a constant. It’s different not seeing him. But I’ve had some communication with him. He’s doing better all the time. And the hope is he’ll be back.”
