The San Antonio Spurs announced Wednesday that legendary coach Gregg Popovich, 75, suffered a stroke on November 2 at the Frost Bank Center before a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, which the team won 113-103.
“Popovich, who has already started a rehabilitation program, is expected to make a full recovery,” the team’s statement read, adding that no timeline has been set for his return to coaching.
The organization requested privacy for the Popovich family during his recovery.
Spurs General Manager Brian Wright described the impact of Popovich’s absence on the organization: “When we walk into the building each and every day, we feel that leadership, we feel that presence. And so not having him, there’s clearly a void. And we miss him.” Wright acknowledged it has been a “difficult time for everyone.”
Assistant coach Mitch Johnson has led the team for six games since Popovich’s last appearance on Halloween in Salt Lake City, where the Spurs defeated the Jazz.
Johnson previously downplayed the situation, saying, “He’s not feeling well. This has happened before. I think everybody’s just always got to be ready for the next man up.”
Popovich’s coaching career spans five decades, beginning as an assistant coach at Air Force Academy in 1973.
Since taking over the Spurs in the 1996-97 season, he has amassed an NBA-record 1,393-827 regular-season record and led the team to five NBA championships (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014).
The three-time NBA Coach of the Year was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame last year.
The Spurs, currently 5-6 this season, continue under Johnson’s interim leadership as the NBA’s oldest and winningest coach focuses on recovery.