Renowned San Antonio Spurs head coach, Gregg Popovich, experienced a health scare on Tuesday night at a local steakhouse. The 76-year-old, who had a stroke in November and subsequently took a break from coaching for the remainder of the season, reportedly collapsed around 8:20 p.m. He was conscious and communicative by the time he was transported to the hospital via ambulance. The incident was classified as a non-life-threatening injury or illness.
Popovich, who has been with the Spurs since the 1996-97 season, has since returned home and is reported to be in stable condition and doing well. This information was confirmed by ESPN. The Spurs had previously announced in November that Popovich would be taking an indefinite leave due to health concerns. Later that month, it was revealed that he had suffered a mild stroke before the team’s game on November 2.
In a statement released in December, Popovich expressed his gratitude for the outpouring of support he and his family had received during his recovery. He acknowledged the unexpected nature of his health issues and expressed his appreciation for the Spurs organization, the community, and his family and friends.
During Popovich’s absence, Mitch Johnson stepped in as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Johnson took over for the celebrated coach who has led the Spurs to five championships and earned three Coach of the Year honors during his tenure.
Popovich’s coaching career with the Spurs has been marked by the development of key players such as Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili, who helped guide the team to multiple titles. In 2023, he added Victor Wembanyama to his roster of stars when the Spurs secured the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.
At the time of his stroke in November, Popovich had amassed 1,422 regular-season wins and a .621 winning percentage. The Spurs ended the 2024-25 season with a 34-48 record, ranking 13th in the Western Conference, ahead of only the Pelicans and the Jazz.