Current:Home > StocksSpurs coach Gregg Popovich had a stroke earlier this month, is expected to make full recovery -EverVision Finance
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had a stroke earlier this month, is expected to make full recovery
View
Date:2025-04-15 11:14:12
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! (782)
Related
- Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
- Psychedelic therapy and workers’ rights bills fail to advance in California’s tough budget year
- 'Bridgerton' Season 3 is a one-woman show (with more sex): Review
- Maverick Kentucky congressman has avoided fallout at home after antagonizing GOP leaders
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- 2 dead, 2 injured in early morning explosion at a rural Ohio home: Reports
- Harris accepts CBS News' vice presidential debate invitation
- Celine Dion attends Rolling Stones concert, poses with Mick Jagger and sons: 'Incredible'
- Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
- US Navy flagship carrier USS Ronald Reagan leaves its Japan home port after nearly 9 years
Ranking
- Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
- New York at Indiana highlights: Caitlin Clark, Fever handed big loss in first home game
- Giddy Up for Miranda Lambert and Husband Brendan McLoughlin's Matching 2024 ACM Awards Looks
- Jessica Biel Says Justin Timberlake Marriage Is a Work in Progress
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- The Reason NFL Took Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Into Account When Planning New Football Schedule
- Chad’s military leader is confirmed as election winner in the final tally despite opposition protest
- Amy Kremer helped organize the pro-Trump Jan. 6 rally. Now she is seeking a Georgia seat on the RNC
Recommendation
Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
Bridge between Galveston and Pelican Island remains closed after barge crash
Clean like a Pro with Shark’s Portable Wet & Dry Vacuum (That’s Also on Sale)
Venezuela’s barred opposition candidate is now the fiery surrogate of her lesser-known replacement
North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
Pakistan’s Imran Khan appears via video link before a top court, for 1st time since his sentencing
Tinder survey says men and women misinterpret what they want from dating apps
New Miss USA Savannah Gankiewicz crowned after former titleholders resign amid controversy