LongTime San Antonio Spur’s head coach Gregg Popovich is not returning this season.
Popovich turned to the team on Thursday for the first time since he had a stroke to update players about his improvement and inform them that he is not returning this season, according to NBA author Chris Haynes.
Popovich, 76, had a “mild stroll” in November and released a statement about his decision not to return Thursday.
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Main coach Gregg Popovich from San Antonio Spurs during a game against New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
“I have decided not to return to the sidelines this season. Mitch Johnson and his staff have done a wonderful job, and the determination and professionalism that the players have shown that stay together in a challenging season has been unique,” the statement states.
“I will continue to focus on my health with the hope that I can return to coaching in the future.”
Popovich is the oldest head coach in the NBA story. He coached at the age of 75 before turning 76 in his time away from the team.
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San Antonio Spur’s main coach Gregg Popovich talks to the media before a game against New Orleans Pelicans in Smoothie King Center in New Orleans April 5, 2024. (Stephen Lew/USA Today Sports)
He is a five-time NBA champion, NBA’s career leader with 1,401 wins and 170 career-playoff victories and was introduced to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023.
The spurs are 24-33 this season and are 13 at the western conference.
Despite acquiring the Star Point Guard de’aaron Fox at the trade deadline, Spurs’ playoff -hope is slim at a strong Western conference.
San Antonio Spurs Guard Chris Paul has a word with Spur’s head coach Gregg Popovich in the second half of a game against Utah Jazz 31 October 2024 in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)
The spurs would have a much better chance of playing playoffs with Star Center Victor Wembanyama, but the team recently excluded him for the rest of the season with a blood clot in his shoulder.
Spurs’ next match is heading for Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday at. 20 et.
