Gregg Popovich Not Expected to Return as San Antonio Spurs Coach This Season

Image credits: Rick Egan/AP Photo

The San Antonio Spurs are facing a challenging season without their head coach Gregg Popovich, who is not expected to return this season due to a mild stroke suffered in November. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Popovich's future as the Spurs' head coach is uncertain, leaving the team to navigate the rest of the season without him. The 76-year-old Hall of Famer has been recovering from the stroke and has been engaged with the team, offering support and strategy input from afar.

Popovich is the NBA's all-time wins leader, with 1,412 wins, and has led the Spurs to five championships. He has been part of the Spurs for nearly 35 years, serving as an assistant coach, executive vice president for basketball operations, and general manager. His legacy extends to the international stage, having led the United States to a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The Spurs have been led by interim head coach Mitch Johnson, who has compiled a 21-27 record since taking over. The team is currently 24-30, 12th in the Western Conference.

The Spurs have faced another setback with the loss of star player Victor Wembanyama, who was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder and will miss the rest of the season. Wembanyama is beginning treatment immediately, and the team is working under the expectation that he will fully recover. The Spurs return to action on Sunday as they visit the New Orleans Pelicans. The team's CEO, RC Buford, praised Popovich's determined recovery efforts, noting that he is bringing the same resilience he has shown as a coach to his rehabilitation.

Here are the current standings for the Western Conference:

• 1. Denver Nuggets
• 2. Memphis Grizzlies
• 3. Sacramento Kings
• 4. Phoenix Suns
• 5. Los Angeles Clippers
• 6. Golden State Warriors
• 7. Dallas Mavericks
• 8. Minnesota Timberwolves
• 9. Utah Jazz
• 10. Oklahoma City Thunder
• 11. Portland Trail Blazers
• 12. San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs' schedule for the next few games is as follows:

1. Sunday: at New Orleans Pelicans
2. Tuesday: at Houston Rockets
3. Thursday: at Dallas Mavericks

The NBA community is waiting to see what the future holds for Popovich, who is considered one of the greatest coaches in basketball history. His potential retirement would mark the end of an era for the Spurs, and the team would need to find a new leader to guide them to success. The Spurs' fans are hoping that Popovich will make a full recovery and return to the sidelines, but for now, they will have to wait and see what the future holds. The team's performance without Popovich and Wembanyama will be a significant challenge, and it remains to be seen how they will fare in the playoffs.

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