Gregg Popovich reportedly not expected to return to Spurs this season, future uncertain after suffering stroke

Gregg Popovich is not expected to return to the San Antonio Spurs this season, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The Spurs head coach’s future is reportedly uncertain as he recovers from a stroke he suffered in November. He had been out indefinitely since then.

This is the second piece of brutal news this week for the Spurs, who are still reeling from losing franchise superstar Victor Wembanyama for the season due to deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. San Antonio’s record currently sits at 24-30, and they have little reason to continue competing this season.

Updates on Popovich’s condition have been sporadic at best. He didn’t release a personal statement until December, and Spurs CEO R.C. Buford said last month he was “attacking” his rehab. At no point has a timetable been laid out.

At 76 years old and in his 29th season as the Spurs’ head coach, Popovich is both the oldest and longest-tenured head coach in the NBA. He is the NBA’s all-time wins leader among coaches, a five-time NBA champion, a three-time NBA Coach of the Year and was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2023. He already has one of the most decorated résumés of any coach in history, but many are hoping to see if he can build another contender with Wembanyama and recent trade acquisition De’Aaron Fox.

With Popovich out, his assistant Mitch Johnson was catapulted into interim head coaching duties and has so far drawn strong reviews. At 38 years old, it’s conceivable he has established himself as Popovich’s successor whenever that’s needed, though it’s clear nothing is certain here.