Long-term San Antonio Spurs Head coach Gregg Popovich has not returned this season.
According to Popovich NBA writer Chris Haynes.
Popovich, 76, suffered a “mild stroke” in November and issued a statement he decided not to return.
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San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich in New York City’s Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks. (Brian Babineau/nbae via Getty Image)
“I decided not to return off the court this season. Mitch Johnson and his staff did a great job and the determination and professionalism the players showed were well maintained in a challenging season,” the statement said.
“I will continue to focus on my health and hopefully I can return to coaching in the future.”
Popovich is the oldest head coach NBA history. He coached at 75 and then reached 76 when he left the team.
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich spoke to the media before playing against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie Kings Center in New Orleans on April 5, 2024. (Stephen Lew/Sports Today)
He was a five-time NBA champion, with NBA professional leader with 1,401 wins and 170 professional playoff wins and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023.
The Spurs are 24-33 this season, ranking 13th in the Western Conference.
Despite winning star point guard De’aaron Fox within the trade deadline, the Spurs’ playoffs are looking to be slim in a strong Western Conference.
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San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul said in the second half of the match against Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on October 31, 2024 with Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)
The Spurs will have a better chance to make the playoffs with star center Victor Wembanyama, but the team recently ruled him out for the rest of the season with a blood clot on their shoulders.
The Spurs’ next game is in a Saturday game against the Memphis Grizzlies at 8 p.m. ET.
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