San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, the NBA’s all-time winningest coach, just isn’t anticipated to return this season as he continues recovering from a light stroke suffered in November, in accordance with ESPN’s Shams Charania. The way forward for the 76-year-old Corridor of Famer stays unsure because the workforce navigates a difficult season with out him.
Popovich, who has led the Spurs since 1996 and gained 5 NBA championships, suffered the stroke on 2 November earlier than a recreation in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson stepped in as interim head coach and has since compiled a 21-27 file whereas main a younger Spurs squad.
The Spurs confronted one other setback when franchise star Victor Wembanyama was shut down for the season on Thursday after being recognized with deep vein thrombosis in his proper shoulder.
“It’s wild to think about the circumstances we’ve been by way of as a workforce this yr,” Spurs level guard Chris Paul stated. “However like all household, robust instances carry you nearer.”
Regardless of his absence, Popovich has remained engaged with the workforce, providing assist and technique enter from afar. Recognized for his sharp wit, Popovich even joked in December that his rehabilitation workforce had found he was “lower than coachable”.
Spurs CEO RC Buford praised Popovich’s decided restoration efforts, noting, “The identical resilience he’s proven as a coach, he’s bringing to his rehab.”
Popovich’s legacy extends to the worldwide stage, having additionally led the US to a gold medal on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Ought to this mark the tip of his teaching profession, Popovich would go away the sport because the oldest head coach in NBA historical past.
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