Gregg Popovich is recovering from Nov. 2 stroke, Spurs say

SAN ANTONIO – Spurs coach Gregg Popovich continues to recover after suffering what the team called a “mild stroke” on Nov. 2.

Popovich has missed the past seven games, including Wednesday night’s win over the Washington Wizards, with what the team previously referred to as an undisclosed medical episode.

The Spurs provided a diagnosis and update on Popovich’s status earlier Wednesday, saying the coach suffered a stroke at the team’s arena. The Spurs said Popovich has started a rehabilitation program and is expected to make a full recovery.

There is no timeline for his return, but general manager Brian Wright said Popovich is “doing well.”

“It’s up to all of us to play our part, to play our part, to continue to lean on each other, support each other and be there for each other. And we look forward to the day when we can welcome him back ,” Wright said before Wednesday’s game. “But it takes a village and we’re all committed to that. But most importantly, we’re committed to making sure he has everything he needs and giving him the time and space to keep coming say. And we’ll look forward to having him back.”

Popovich is the NBA’s winningest head coach with 1,390 wins and an additional 170 postseason victories with five NBA titles. He is in his 29th season, all with San Antonio.

Popovich, 75, is the oldest coach in NBA history. In 2020, he passed the previous mark held by Hubie Brown (age 71) in his last game as coach of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Mitch Johnson, 37, has served as the Spurs’ acting head coach during Popovich’s absence. Johnson will coach the Spurs for the foreseeable future, a source told ESPN’s Shams Charania.

“Like I said before, it’s not one person’s job to fill Pop’s shoes at this moment,” Wright said. “It’s a village. And so, like I said, we’ve all bonded together. We all play our parts in that part, and we’ll continue to do that, and that’s what he wanted.”

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.