Longtime San Antonio Spurs The head coach Gregg Popovich does not return this season.
Popovich turned to the team for the first time on Thursday since he had a stroke to update the player on his recovery and informed them that he was not returning this season, according to Nba writer Chris Haynes.
Popovich, 76, had a “mild stroke” in November and announced a statement of his decision not to return on Thursday.
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Chief coach Gregg Popovich of San Antonio Spurs during the match against New York Knicks Madison Square Garden in New York. (Brian Babineau/Nbae via Getty Images)
“I decided not to go back to the side of this season. Mitch Johnson and his staff did a great job, and the determination and professionalism that the players showed, holding together during the challenging season, was extraordinary,” the statement said.
“I will continue to focus on my health with the hope that in the future I will be able to return to training.”
Popovich is the oldest main coach in NBA history. He trained at the age of 75 before he turned 76 during his time.
Chief coach San Antonio Spurs Gregg Popovich talks to the media before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on April 5, 2024. (Stephen Lew/USA Today Sports)
He is a five-time NBA champion, a NBA career leader with 1,401 win and 170 career victories, and has been introduced into the Memorial Basketball Hall of Naismith 2023.
Spurs are 24-33 this season and are 13th in the Western Conference.
Despite the fact that the Star Point Guard De’aaron Fox was gained during the trade deadline, the Nade Spurs’s playoffs were lean in a strong Western conference.
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The dream guard Antonio Spurs Chris Paul has a word with the main coach of Spurs Gregg Popovich during the second half of the match against Utah Jazz on October 31, 2024 in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)
The Spurs would have a much greater chance of playing the playoffs with the Victor Wembanyam Star Center, but the team recently turned it off until the end of the season with a blood clot in the shoulder.
The next Spurs game is on the way against Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday at 8:00 pm.
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