Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich Was Absent Due to 'Mild Stroke' Before Game, Is Expected to Make Full Recovery

The San Antonio Spurs say that head coach Gregg Popovich will make a full recovery after suffering a "mild stroke" earlier this month.

On Wednesday, Nov. 13, the Spurs issued an update on their 75-year-old coach who has been away from the team since Nov. 2.

"The San Antonio spurs today announced that Head Coach Gregg Popovich has suffered a mild stroke. The episode occurred on Nov. 2 at the Frost Bank Center," the statement read.

Popovich is expected to make a full recovery, per the team, and has already begun a rehabilitation program. The Spurs said there is currently no timeline for his return to coaching the NBA team — which includes 2023 No. 1 draft pick Victor Wembanyama and NBA vet Chris Paul.

Mitch Johnson has been acting as interim head coach since Popovich — who won 5 NBA titles as a coach for the Spurs and two Olympic gold medals with Team USA — suffered the stroke on Nov. 2 just before tipoff between the Spurs and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

"During this time, the organization is grateful to the extended community for providing privacy and space to the Popovich family," the Spurs' statement concluded.

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On Nov. 4, ESPN's NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Popovich would be away from the team while recovering from a "health issue" for "indefinite period" of time.

After the Nov. 2 game, interim coach Johnson told the Associated Press that he learned he'd take over for Popovich just hours before tipoff. He described Popovich's condition as an "unexpected illness" and simply told reporters, "He's not feeling well," and that "this has happened before."

Johnson said at the time that the team has "just always got to be ready for the next man up," per the AP. "We’ve had it with injuries and sometimes people get sick or don’t feel well or things come up in life."

Popovich is among the most beloved NBA coaches, retired and active, and is widely known as one of the winningest coaches in league history. Currently in his 29th season as San Antonio's head coach, Popovich is just one of five coaches to win five or more titles.

Popovich led San Antonio to NBA championships in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014.