Legendary Spurs coach Gregg Popovich suffered a mild stroke before a home game on Nov. 2 and is expected to make a full recovery, the team announced Wednesday afternoon.
It was previously reported that Popovich, 75, suffered a health issue at the team’s arena before its win over the Timberwolves, but the issue was not previously disclosed.
“At this point, a timeline for his return to the sidelines has not been determined,” the Spurs said, noting Popovich has already begun a rehab program. “During this time, the organization is grateful to the extended community for providing privacy and space to the Popovich family.”
Spurs assistant Mitch Johnson has been handling the interim head coaching duties during Popovich’s absence.
Popovich last coached the Spurs on Halloween in Salt Lake City, where the team beat the Jazz.
“He’s not feeling well,” Johnson said of Popovich last week. “This has happened before. I think everybody’s just always got to be ready for the next man up. We’ve had it with injuries and sometimes people get sick or don’t feel well or things come up in life. He’s just not feeling well.”
Popovich, who has coached San Antonio since 1996 and is in his 29th season at the helm, has led the team to five NBA championships and is a three-time NBA coach of the year winner.
“When we walk into the building each and every day, we feel [Popovich’s] leadership, we feel that presence,” Spurs General Manager Brian Wright said Wednesday, per the Washington Post. “And so not having him, there’s clearly a void. And we miss him.”
He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame last year.
The Spurs are 5-6 this season entering Wednesday’s game against the Wizards.
