It remains uncertain when Gregg Popovich will make his return to the sidelines, but the longtime San Antonio Spurs head coach recently expressed his gratitude towards fans and the basketball community for their support following his stroke earlier this year.
Popovich suffered a mild stroke at the team’s arena on Nov. 2 and has been undergoing recovery ever since.
“This has been an unexpected six weeks for my family and me,” Popovich stated in a release on Monday afternoon, his first comments since the stroke.
“The support we’ve received during this time has been overwhelming in the best possible way. My family and I are forever grateful for our community, the Spurs organization, and our loved ones,” Popovich continued.
Initially, the Spurs indicated that Popovich was dealing with an unspecified medical condition, but later confirmed that it was a stroke. Popovich is anticipated to make a full recovery.
Assistant coach Mitch Johnson has been leading the Spurs in Popovich’s absence. The team currently holds a 13-13 record as they prepare for their upcoming game against the Atlanta Hawks. The Spurs have managed an 11-10 record without Popovich, although they have lost four of their last six games.
Popovich, who is 75 years old, is in his 29th season as the head coach of the Spurs, making him the longest-tenured coach in the league. He holds the record for the most career regular-season wins in the NBA with 1,391, along with 170 postseason victories and five championships, the most recent one in 2014.
There is no set timeline for Popovich’s return, but given his determination, it seems he is eager to get back.
“No one is more eager for my return to the bench than the individuals overseeing my rehabilitation,” Popovich humorously remarked. “They have quickly discovered that I am not the easiest person to coach.”