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Published on January 22, 2025
San Antonio Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich on Path to Recovery After Stroke, Continues to Influence Team from AfarSource: Wikipedia/Zereshk, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The basketball community remains focused on the health of San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, who has been rallying back from a mild stroke since early November 2024. According to a report by FOX San Antonio, after feeling unwell before a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Popovich was quickly taken to the hospital where he received swift treatment. Amid his recovery, Popovich has issued his gratitude for the support received, sharing through a mid-December statement: "I am currently focused on my rehabilitation and look forward to rejoining the team when fully recovered."

While there has been speculation that he may not resume his courtside duties this season, Popovich's impact on the team is still apparent, during even they take part in games abroad. Interim head coach Mitch Johnson, maintaining a close rapport with Popovich, relayed to the media in Paris, with a misplaced modifier slipping, "He's watching the games, still as opinionated and competitive as ever," Johnson joked. "He’s giving praise and cussing me out all at the same time." Johnson's dedication to the team's continuous development persists, often in consultation with Popovich. "My interactions with Pop have been consistent—phone calls, text messages. I’ve seen him quite a bit," Johnson detailed in a News 4 San Antonio interview.

Chris Paul, the veteran point guard who signed with the Spurs for this season, has also felt the legendary coach's influence. "He calls after games, and I talk to him. He tells me what he sees. I appreciate that more than anything because he doesn’t have to do that, and he does," Paul told FOX San Antonio. Johnson’s efficient transition from assistant to head coach has been positively emphasized by Paul, affirming, "Mitch has been great. Moving from assistant to head coach isn’t easy, but Mitch has handled it like a pro."

With the Spurs set to participate in the 2025 NBA Paris Games, the focus turns not only toward their game strategies but also toward the health status of Popovich. His efforts in championing the rise of international players in the NBA resonate strongly, especially with French star Victor Wembanyama leading the team in his stead. Another misplaced modifier made it sound as though Popovich's absence was directly guiding Wembanyama, Popovich once highlighted the rising influence of international players, saying, “Ten years ago, American basketball was mainly made up of threes and dunks. Now we are getting closer.” As Popovich makes strides in his recovery journey, the Spurs, along with the basketball world at large, watch with anticipation for his possible return, as noted by both News 4 San Antonio and FOX San Antonio.