Gregg Popovich, the esteemed head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, suffered a health incident on Tuesday evening at a local restaurant. The 76-year-old, who had a stroke in November and subsequently took a hiatus from coaching for the rest of the season, reportedly collapsed around 8:20 p.m. He was alert and responsive when he was transported to the hospital by ambulance. The incident was categorized as a non-life-threatening injury or illness.
Popovich, who has been a part of the Spurs organization since the 1996-97 season, has since returned home and is reported to be in stable condition and recuperating well. This information was confirmed by sports news outlets. The Spurs had previously announced in November that Popovich would be taking an indefinite leave due to health concerns. Later that month, it was disclosed that he had suffered a mild stroke before the team’s game on November 2.
In a statement released in December, Popovich expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support he and his family had received during his recovery. He acknowledged the unexpected nature of his health issues and expressed his appreciation for the Spurs organization, the community, and his family and friends.
During Popovich’s absence, Mitch Johnson assumed the role of interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Johnson took over for the celebrated coach who has led the Spurs to five championships and earned three Coach of the Year honors during his tenure.
Popovich’s coaching career with the Spurs has been characterized by the development of key players such as Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili, who helped guide the team to multiple titles. In 2023, he added Victor Wembanyama to his roster of stars when the Spurs secured the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.
At the time of his stroke in November, Popovich had accumulated 1,422 regular-season wins and a .621 winning percentage. The Spurs ended the 2024-25 season with a 34-48 record, ranking 13th in the Western Conference, ahead of only the Pelicans and the Jazz.