Gregg Popovich will be away from the Spurs for an indefinite period due to a health issue.
Popovich, 75, suffered his health issue ahead of San Antonio’s game against Minnesota on Saturday, Nov. 2. The Spurs initially announced Popovich would miss that game with an undisclosed illness but would later provide more information. In Popovich’s absence, assistant coach Mitch Johnson has served as the team’s interim head coach.
What happened to Popovich? Here is what is known about the legendary coach’s health.
SN’s NBA HQ: Live NBA scores | Updated NBA standings | Full NBA schedule
What happened to Gregg Popovich?
Popovich suffered a mild stroke ahead of San Antonio’s game on Saturday, Nov. 2, the Spurs announced.
Ahead of that game, Johnson handled pregame duties with reporters, saying “[Popovich is] not feeling well. This has happened before and I think everybody’s just gotta be ready for the next man up, right? … He’s just not feeling well.”
In San Antonio’s official announcement, the franchise added that Popovich “has already started a rehabilitation program” and “is expected to make a full recovery.”
A timeline for his return to coaching has not been provided.
The Spurs initially did not disclose any more information on the nature of Popovich’s health issue. Popovich did not travel with the team for its two-game road trip to Los Angeles and Houston, and Johnson will continue to serve as the interim head coach.
On Tuesday, Nov. 5, ESPN’s Shams Charania Charania added more context on what he heard about Popovich’s situation.
“I’m told that it was a serious health issue that the Spurs dealt with and Gregg Popovich dealt with over the weekend,” Charania said on ESPN.
“It was a situation on Saturday night pregame that Gregg Popovich needed medical attention in San Antonio. It is still uncertain when he’s going to make it back on the floor — on the sidelines for this team. There is a great level of concern around the situation.”
“There is a great level of concern around the situation.”@ShamsCharania with the latest on Gregg Popovich being out indefinitely after suffering a health issue Saturday. pic.twitter.com/FXePQNlu1M
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 5, 2024
Popovich is the longest-tenured head coach in the NBA and the winningest coach in league history. He took over during the 1996-97 NBA season and is now in his 28th full season as San Antonio’s head coach.
Ahead of San Antonio’s two games in Paris, Spurs CEO R.C. Buford provided a positive update on Popovich’s progression through his rehab program.
“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 return in his rehab in an incredibly unique way. The relationships that he had with our former players and the care that they’re sharing with him is amazing. And his improvement continues.
Popovich turned 76 on Jan. 28, 2025. He is not expected to return to coaching during the 2025 season, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. Popovich’s future in coaching is also uncertain as he continues to recover.
Who is Mitch Johnson?
Johnson is an assistant coach for the Spurs. He is in his ninth season with the organization and his fifth on San Antonio’s bench.
Before joining Popovich’s staff, Johnson spent three seasons as an assistant with the Austin Spurs, San Antonio’s G League affiliate. Johnson was San Antonio’s head coach during the NBA Summer League in 2022 and 2023.
He played collegiately at Stanford and played professionally in the G League and in Europe.
MORE NBA NEWS:
- How Cavaliers, Thunder compare to best teams in NBA history
- Updated NBA All-Star Game starting lineup projections
- How to vote for NBA All-Stars in 2025
- How Derrick Rose went from NBA's youngest MVP to mentor for next generation